Letter to the Editor: Hightstown GOP Candidates Question Immigration Resolution

By John Archer and Skye Gilmartin, Republican Candidates for Hightstown Borough Council

After several weeks of research, information gathering, and discussion, our Exploratory Committee (made up of a diverse, multi-cultural group of concerned residents) is close to completing its' task and is preparing a recommendation regarding Hightstown's "sanctuary city" label. To that end, all registered voters will be receiving a survey phone call this weekend to gauge public opinion on this issue. We ask for your participation in this public opinion poll on this very important topic.

It is our opinion that Resolution 2005-66, unanimously passed by Borough Council in 2005, has created an atmosphere that not only conflicts with Federal Immigration Laws. The result of this has severely affected all of our safety, quality of life, property values, and economic stability.

It is also our opinion that the label "sanctuary city" is not the pro-immigrant policy that is was intended to be. We have found no evidence that it encourages undocumented immigrants to seek out the help of our police department or health services. Furthermore, it impedes our law enforcement from properly doing their job by promoting an implied "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Again, the net result is a negative affect on all of our safety and security. Resolution 2005-66, and its' subsequent "sanctuary city" designation, has proven to be a failed attempt by previous legislators, concerned more with political correctness than actual positive policy. We aim to change that dynamic and return the focus to making Hightstown a safe, prosperous, growth-oriented community.

Thank you for participating in our public opinion poll, and we look forward to hearing from you.