COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Colorado Springs City Council passed a resolution Tuesday by a six to three vote, declaring that the city is not a sanctuary for migrants.
The resolution was passed two weeks after El Paso County Commissioners sounded the alarm about migrants coming into the city and in response to the growing migrant crisis across the nation, especially in Denver. This symbolic resolution brought to the table by Councilmember Dave Donelson does not have any legal impact, but instead sends a message about the city council's stance on the migrant situation.
During the meeting Tuesday, Chief of Staff Jamie Fabos said 21 migrant families had passed through the city and nine families are still receiving shelter. Fabos said there is no migrant crisis in the city right now, but there is certainly a crisis in Denver.
As News5 previously reported, sanctuary cities are cities that in certain ways refuse to comply with federal immigration law and enact policies to provide resources to migrants.
Protesters gathered outside City Hall on Tuesday morning as the council meeting began to push back against the resolution. Many of them spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting calling the city's stance on migrants harmful.
City Councilmembers Nancy Henjum, Yolanda Avila, and Michelle Talarico all voted against the resolution. Councilmember Henjum said she understands the city does not have enough resources to support a migrant influx, but said that does not mean migrants will be turned away.
“We don’t put blockades on I-25 and say who can and can’t come into our city," she said. "When people come, they will be served."
Councilmember Avila called the resolution "fearmongering" and said it promoted chaos. Councilmember Talarico said she voted no for similar reasons.
"I find this to be a resolution that is operating from fear," she said. "I believe that we don't want that image as a city."
The other six council members, including Councilmember Donelson, voted to approve the resolution.
“Do we care about people? Yes, we do. There’s a legal way to enter the country and there’s an illegal way," said Donelson. “I think the majority of citizens agree with what we did by far.”
Fabos said the city is working with the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management to plan for the arrival of more migrants. She said the city invited county leaders to a planning meeting and they declined.
Several places in Pueblo County, Denver, and Aurora have been designated as sanctuaries in Colorado.
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