I am your mayor. Soy su alcalde.

In recent days, the immigration enforcement tactics happening at our southern border have shocked and appalled many of us, myself included. I am the mother of two young sons, and the thought of having them ripped away from my arms, perhaps never to see them again, is almost too much to bear.

We have heard statements expressing horror and shame from almost every living First Lady, regardless of political party. We have heard from governors across the country, and across party lines, that are refusing to send National Guard troops to the border, and in some cases, recalling National Guard troops back to their home state. These governors want no part of the inhumane border practices, and what Congressman Elijah Cummings calls “Child Internment Camps.”

In a village like Ossining, where immigrants play such a large and vital role, these accounts are especially troubling. But the Village Board has done its best to counter the federal administration’s anti-immigration sentiment. A year ago, in the wake of fears felt deeply in our community in response to new immigration enforcement practices and divisive rhetoric, we passed a resolution affirming our values as an inclusive and welcoming community. That Village resolution was translated into Spanish, and is hanging in a frame in the Ossining Public Library.

Last year the Village Board also passed a resolution encouraging state legislators to allow all New York drivers, regardless of immigration status, to be licensed. New York State would not blaze any trails—11 states plus Washington DC already have this ability. You may have seen that Peekskill recently passed a similar resolution of support. You will be hearing more about a renewed effort to get Governor Cuomo to publicly support this legislation, and for the New York State Senate to bring it to a vote. The Assembly is ready to make it happen. I am working with activists who are leading this effort, and I’m optimistic that it may become a reality in the not too distant future. I was grateful to Chief Sylvester for his thoughtful consideration of the impact this legislation this would have on his department’s work in Ossining. He provided helpful insights into how allowing New York State residents to be licensed, regardless of immigration status, would actually benefit local law enforcement.

In recent days we have been reminded of past human atrocities, both in this country and abroad. So the question for us now is, what will our legacy be? Will we allow children to be kept in cages and torn from the arms of their parents? Will we tolerate our president referring to immigrants as an infestation? Or will we demand better of our country? Will future generations view our flag as a symbol of hope and opportunity, or one of hatred and atrocity?

I am reminded of a conversation I had a couple of years ago with an Ossining resident. We were discussing the complex challenges of code enforcement, and how that can result in the most vulnerable folks in our community being displaced from their homes. Often these are undocumented residents who have fewer housing options, and may be afraid to demand safer conditions from their landlord. In an act of willful ignorance or profound blindness of privilege, he asked me, “Are those really the people you represent?”

So let me state very clearly, I am a mayor that serves every person who lives in this Village. If you are a Village resident and you vote, yes, I am your mayor. If you are a Village resident and you are eligible to vote, but do not, I am still your mayor. And I ask you to please register and vote. If are a resident of the Village of Ossining and you are under the age of 18, I am also your mayor. If you live in the Village, and you are a documented resident who is not a US citizen, or perhaps not yet a citizen, I am your mayor. And if you live in the Village of Ossining and you are an undocumented resident, I am also your mayor. All of us who are elected to serve on the Village Board have an obligation and a responsibility to serve the needs and the interests of every person who lives of our Village.

I am grateful to work with so many leaders, volunteers, activists, and public servants who seek to support families that are contributing admirably to the success of Ossining. We are a nation of immigrants. We are a village of immigrants. We are a community that cares for our neighbors and serves a vision for America that is born out of hope and opportunity. All that said, right now, I might settle for some simple human decency.