In a Sanctuary State Like RI, No Need to Declare Newport a Sanctuary City, Councilor John Florez Says

NEWPORT, RI—Newport Councilor John Florez told The Patch this week he will not pursue any plan to declare the City by the Sea a sanctuary for undocumented workers. Given the fact Rhode Island already operates like a sanctuary state, there is no need, he said.

"We essentially are a sanctuary state," he said, since state law limits how much local law enforcement can cooperate with requests from federal immigration authorities.

Also, he said, it wouldn't be "prudent or responsible," given the possibility federal funds might be at stake and declaring a sanctuary city could put the government aid in jeopardy.

Recently, according to published reports, Republicans in Congress have indicated they will introduce bills to withhold federal funds for not cooperating with immigration authorities.

Meanwhile, he is committed to representing all members of the community and has let some Latino leaders, connected to St. Joseph Church, know they can come to him with their problems, whether or not they are citizens.

Everyone has voice and should have the council's ear, he said.

The local issues about deportation came to a head over the past week, Florez said, when an undocumented worker, who is a personal friend, wanted help for his autistic child.

Florez said the man works in one of the restaurants.

The child was born in the U.S., and is therefore an American citizen; her parents are here illegally. Florez connected them with social services for the youngster and continued talking with her father about the family's situation. The man said he was scared about being deported, "given the current political climate."

Florez knows many others in the same predicament, he said.

"I have my finger on the pulse," Florez said. "My job is to get to know all our citizens."

Although deportation is not "necessarily a city issue," and one he does not wish to address, Florez said, he also believes the undocumented people are "a vital part of our economy."

More than half the people believe undocumented workers take jobs away from U.S. citizens and create a burden on taxpayers. But "that's all wrong," said Florez, who cited studies the undocumented contribute more in tax dollars than they take in services.

Recently, he and three other councilors met with four undocumented workers. Mayor Harry Winthrop and Councilors Susan Taylor and Jamie Bova attended the meeting which Florez described as "private" but not secret.

The purpose was to let the undocumented workers know they "have a voice," Florez said. He wanted to "reach out to them," he said, and let them know they can call the councilors and ask for assistance.

The meeting was not posted with the Rhode Island Secretary of State's office, he allowed, and explained because Bova and Taylor were newly elected -- and so for that matter was Winthrop -- and had not been sworn in yet, he did not realize the open meeting laws applied.

After the fact, he said, they consulted the city solicitor who gave this opinion: because there was no meeting agenda and no intent to evade the open meetings laws, there was no violation.

What happened was "well within the ethics rules," Florez said but added he would not have organized the meeting if he had known there could be a problem.

"I erroneously assumed it was okay," he said.

Recently, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza backed off a bid to declare Providence a sanctuary city but said he would protect immigrants. His statements drew a sharp rebuke from North Kingstown's state Rep. Doreen Costa, who said Elorza should obey the law or be held accountable.