HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0125.044 2024-2026From: Tina Marie Vega Blast
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2025 8:40 PM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Alameda, Christian (Kimo); Inaba, Holeka; Onishi, Dennis; Kimball, Heather, Kagiwada,
Jennifer; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Galimba, Michelle M.; Villegas, Rebecca; Kanealii-
Kleinfelder, Matt; Hustace, James
Subject: Testimony in Opposition to Resolution 74-25
Testimony in OPPOSITION of Resolution 74 - 25: ICE MOU.
Hearing Date: April 2, 2025
Aloha Council Members and Mayor,
My name is Tina Marie Even and I am writing in strong opposition to Resolution 74 - 25: ICE
MOU because it will negatively impact our Hawai'i community.
As a natural-born U.S. citizen, I vehemently oppose any collaboration between ICE and our police
department. If ICE were only targeting violent criminals, that would be one thing. But that's not
what's happening.
ICE is kidnapping people — legal immigrants, asylum seekers, even U.S. citizens. People
attending their routine immigration check -ins are being disappeared. There is no due process,
no accountability. If someone — anyone— is falsely accused of being undocumented, they can be
snatched off the street, thrown into a detention center, and shipped off to a country
they don't even belong to.
We've seen the reports: ICE facilities are overrun, starved of basic resources — food, water,
sanitation. People are suffering and dying in these hellish conditions. How would you feel if
it were you? If you were ripped from your family, denied a lawyer, denied a phone call,
locked away with no way to prove you belong in your own home?
This isn't about "law and order." This is CRUELTY for cruelty's sake — state -sanctioned
kidnapping, systemic abuse, and an administration hell-bent on weaponizing
immigration enforcement to stroke the fragile ego of a wannabe dictator.
This is NOT who we should be as humans. We CAN and MUST do better for the sake of
our humanity!
Allowing the Hawaii Police Department to engage in immigration enforcement undermines public
safety. This resolution does not protect our community; instead, it fosters division and distrust. I
strongly urge the committee to oppose Resolution 74-25 and protect the integrity of our local law
enforcement.
Mahalo for your time and consideration. Comm. „.. i S•
Ref. To. � 1
Ref. Dcii,�� 2 2 °
Tina Marie Even
Waikoloa village Resident