Holyoke panel to discuss controversial immigration resolution Oct. 6

HOLYOKE — A Holyoke City Council subcommittee will talk again about a long-tabled resolution that asks city departments to follow federal immigration laws when applying for grants.

The Development and Government Relations Committee will meet on Oct. 6 to discuss the resolution, which was first introduced in June by Councilors Kevin Jourdain and Linda Vacon. They say Holyoke could lose up to $10 million in federal money for schools and public safety if the city is seen as not following immigration laws.

The resolution also asks the Department of Homeland Security to tell the city if it finds any violations.

Councilor Kocayne Givner, who leads the committee, said she expects many people to attend the meeting.

Mayor Joshua Garcia has said previously that Holyoke is not a sanctuary city, and that the city already follows state and local laws. He said the council can't set immigration policy — that's the mayor's job.

Garcia also pointed to a 2014 executive order that says Holyoke police will not hold people for immigration reasons, unless they are being charged with something else.

In May, the Trump administration listed Holyoke as one of 11 cities in Massachusetts that block immigration enforcement. Garcia disagreed with that claim, and the list was later changed — now only Boston is on it.

Jourdain and Vacon said they introduced the resolution to support the mayor and protect federal funding. Jourdain said losing $10 million would hurt the city, which has about 38,000 residents and a $70 million tax base.

On Sept. 9, about 50 people protested the resolution outside City Hall. Some said it could hurt immigrant families and lead to cooperation with immigration agents. Others said the resolution misuses city laws and spreads fear.

Some residents said the city needs to be more welcoming. Others said immigrants who follow the law should be allowed to stay — but those who commit crimes should be deported.

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