HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/4/2017 Item 17, Ayral
Christian, Kevin
From:odileayral@gmail.com on behalf of Odile Ayral <oayral@calpoly.edu>
Sent:
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item 17: SLO as a Welcoming City
Dear Mayor Harmon and City Council Members,
I urge you to be more specific on the resolution declaring San Luis Obispo a "welcoming city." Instead, I urge
you to call it "a sanctuary city", and to clearly state that in view of the present terrifying round-ups that are
happening everywhere, our local police officers will not cooperate with federal enforcement. Anything else
would not ensure the protection of innocent people or prevent families from being torn apart. I would like to
illustrate my point with the story of Diego and Carol (not their real names.)
Diego was brought to the United States by his parents when he was 14. For about 20 years, he made a life here,
married a US citizen and had two children. Wishing to regularize his situation as soon as possible, he paid
taxes, filed papers, and did everything right. Instead of helping him with this process, the Immigration Services
deported him. His wife, deprived of her husband's emotional and financial support is in dire straits, and so are
the children. Carol has a low-paying job that allows the family to barely survive, but they don't even have
enough to pay for a phone and therefore can't speak with Diego. And moving to Mexico would be worse
because Carol does not know Mexico and has no skills to survive there, while Diego barely remembers the
country where he was born. Yet, the Immigration Services are asking Carol to choose between her husband and
her country. It is almost Sophie's Choice, and thousands of families are facing the same inhumane choice.
It is our duty to take measures that will help keep families together and support children in distress. Please,
make a clear and firm statement that will protect these families. Perhaps you could also create a special
program that would give some financial support to families that have been torn apart. I am sure many people
would love to contribute. Thank you.
Odile Ayral
San Luis Obispo
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