Local Summit Sponsors Program on Problems Facing Immigrants

Acknowledging the fear and uncertainty among many in the community’s immigrant population, the Local Summit of Larchmont/Mamaroneck presented a program at its monthly public breakfast meeting entitled “Immigration Now: The Law, the Local Impact and the Local Response.” Panelists included Charlotte Gossett of the New York Immigration Coalition; Dr. Robert Shaps, Superintendent of Mamaroneck Public Schools; Janet Rolon, Deputy Executive Director of the Community Resource Center, and; Professor Vanessa Merton, Director of the Immigration Justice Clinic at Pace University Law School.

Charlotte Gossett set the stage by describing the challenge to immigrants posed by three executive orders issued by President Trump immediately upon taking office. The orders imposed a travel ban on immigration from certain predominantly Muslim countries into the United States, suspended the refugee program, reinstated local and state immigration enforcement partnerships, authorized a U.S./Mexico border wall and the hiring of more border patrol agents, and authorized stripping federal grant money to sanctuary cities. All three orders are the subject of pending litigation and injunctions. Ms. Gossett asserted that “there will be appeals, no matter who wins.” She also insisted that government enforcement of the orders has been uneven.

Ms. Rolon described the Mamaroneck immigrant community as suffering from “a collective panic” with rumors of detentions and raids by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents creating much anxiety. But there is help within the community for the immigrant population.

While the Community Resource Center has been busy tracking down the veracity of the rumors, most of which are unfounded, it has spent considerable time reaching out to the community. It has sponsored forums on immigrant rights and offered programs to help immigrants prepare the necessary documents to protect their children and other family members should a family member be detained by ICE agents. She noted that many undocumented immigrants have children who were born here and are natural citizens so proper arrangements must be made for their continued care.

The care of immigrant children is also high on the agenda for the public schools, reported Superintendent Shaps. He explained that schools have an important responsibility for the care and custody of all children and immigrant children are entitled to equal access to public education, citing the Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe. He agreed with Ms. Rolon that time and care must be spent to ensure that children of immigrants can be protected. He also said that although schools are public institutions, “for purposes of ICE access to a school, the school is considered a non-public venue. There must be a lawful warrant to enter and speak to a student.”

The Immigration Justice Clinic, headed by Professor Merton, is a free legal clinic staffed by law students and volunteer lawyers. Professor Merton emphasized how important it is for an immigrant to be assisted by a qualified and knowledgeable attorney, since immigrants have few legal protections. For instance, unlike citizens, they have no “ex post facto” protection. She also mentioned how some unscrupulous employers are threatening to report undocumented workers to ICE if they don’t work overtime or work for free.

Local government officials present at the breakfast expressed their support for the immigrant community and advised of local policy and available services.

To watch the complete program on LMCTV-Online, click here.

This breakfast forum was hosted by the Larchmont/Mamaroneck Local Summit, an informal community council that seeks to make life better for all in the tri-municipal area. Its next program will be Tuesday, June 13, 7:45 am, at the Nautilus Diner in Mamaroneck and will explore the colorful history of the Village of Larchmont. All are welcome. Breakfast $8.