We The People

Our Bill of Rights provides protections for the people – from government overreach, discrimination, and violations of person. Specifically, the First and Fourth Amendments provide for freedom of religion and security in one’s person. The executive order signed by President Donald Trump failed to respect those rights and unlawfully targeted individuals for discriminatory reasons.

Mount Vernon is a city of immigrants with people from all nations residing in our four square miles. We are proud of our diversity and vibrant culture and we will never let that change. My administration has been closely following the situation that unfolded over the weekend regarding detainees at airports including John F. Kennedy International in Queens. The City of Mount Vernon’s position is clear and unequivocal. We stand with Governor Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and the American Civil Liberties Union in defending human rights and providing a safe harbor for refugees.

We do not believe President Donald Trump’s executive orders on refugees and immigration reflect American values and we will not stand idly by while families are torn apart. While President Trump’s intention to pursue criminals who arrived here illegally – those who are responsible for wrong-way driving accidents, felony assaults, murders and sexual assaults - is worthwhile, the expansive net of the current executive order simply traps refugees and lawful visitors to this country. All criminals, particularly those that come to our country terrorizing our quiet neighborhoods with violence aimed at harming our way of life, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law but we cannot trample on the civil rights of any person in the United States of America. The ends do not justify the means.

We must never forget that for many people, the United States, land of the free and home of the brave, is more than a place to dream of - America has and always will remain the golden door to opportunity, open to the “tired, the poor, and the huddled masses.” As citizens, we are called upon to work to make certain our country never closes its doors to those dreamers by allowing fear and mistrust to be our welcoming song.

We will continue to monitor the situation at JFK Airport and will work to make sure human rights are upheld and protected. I have directed the city’s Law Department to immediately begin the recruiting process to hire an attorney well-versed in civil rights, immigration and/or environmental law in order to ensure the people of Mount Vernon are fully protected. Additionally, our Departments of Public Safety and Human Resources will evaluate and implement diversity training for all city employees.

If you know of any individual or family that may be wrongfully detained, please contact the Office of the Mayor of Mount Vernon at 914-665-2360. We will be able to connect you with local resources that may assist you in the situation.

Sincerely,

Mayor Richard Thomas

P.S. The Above Photograph shows the Bill of Rights as Displayed in the Conference Room of the Mayor’s Office at Mount Vernon City Hall. On December 19, 2016 the City of Mount Vernon celebrated the 225th Anniversary of the Final Ratification of the Bill of Rights. Click here for more info.