La Puente declares city a sanctuary for immigrants, religious minorities, LGBTQ people

[rug]

Residents and advocates filled the La Puente council chambers as city council members debated and voted on a sanctuary city resolution in La Puente, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017. The resolution will mandate the city not to enforce federal immigration laws and not investigate or apprehend residents in violation of immigration laws. (Photo by Trevor Stamp for SGVN)

By Stephanie K. Baer, The San Gabriel Valley Tribune
POSTED: 01/11/17, 9:55 AM PST | UPDATED: 5 HRS AGO

LA PUENTE - Amid calls from residents and local activists to support all minority groups, not just undocumented immigrants, the City Council unanimously voted to adopt a resolution declaring the city a sanctuary for immigrants, people of color, religious minorities, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

“Whether you are undocumented, whether or you are LGBTQ or Muslim or anything else that people want to put you down for, La Puente welcomes you,” said Workman High School teacher Billie Joe Wright, one of more than 20 people who voiced support for the resolution during the public comment portion of the council’s meeting.

The resolution, which was presented by Councilman Argudo and several residents, states that city officials will not enforce federal immigration laws or use city resources to apprehend people “whose only violation is or may be a civil violation of immigration law.” It was approved by the council in a 4-0 vote. Councilman Dan Holloway was absent from the meeting.

The resolution adopted by the council was one of two brought forward for consideration in the wake of the election of Donald Trump. The other resolution was aimed only at undocumented immigrants and was modeled after the sanctuary city resolution adopted in Cudahy.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/government-and-politics/20170111/la-puente-declares-city-a-sanctuary-for-immigrants-religious-minorities-lgbtq-people