“We Will Not Cower In Fear”

The politics of this are just plain stupid, and quite frankly playing into Trump's hand.

As Democrats, can we be this dumb?

The call should not be for open defiance against the law of this land. Instead it should be for comprehensive immigration reform, and "closing the border" in exchange for amnesty, no deportations, and a path to citizenship for those who are already here.

Politically we need to acknowledge that the system is broken, -- but that it is the fault of both parties neglecting this problem for so long.

Personally I think the Democrats should come out in favor of a verifiable national Social Security card that could double as voting id. (And yeah, it's probably time to include a thumbprint.) Add to that a visiting worker program, and stiff fines for employers who don't play by the rules, and jail time for anyone caught circumventing America's worker protection laws. Basically make Trump come to us, and in a way where we can take credit for much needed reforms.

Instead Democrats act as if we're for open borders, and a continuation of the status quo.

WE LOST MI, WI, PA and the PRESIDENCY b/c of this issue. Isn't it time we got out in front of it?

I totally agree with scooper. When the lights get turned off in New Haven because we can't pay the electric bill, due to loss of funding, it just might wake us up.

i would have appreciated a word from the acting chief of police; he always has such a calming effect on a crowd. but apparently that wasn't on anyone's agenda.

@anderson

"Instead Democrats act as if we're for open borders, and a continuation of the status quo."

They are and that's the problem. Look at the second picture from the top. These folks want people to be able to come and go as they please. Once again the alt-left of our party dictates the foolish and ignorant response from the politicians.

I'm a democrat and I believe we should make available a clear path for citizenship coupled with amnesty with the exception of individuals who commit felonies. This can and should only be done with comprehensive reform that includes securing our borders. Reform that includes building a wall made from concrete and steel or personell.

Hopefully some reporter will one day ask the politicians who stand at these microphones one simple question. Do you support securing our borders to stem the flow of people entering the Untited States illegally and demand a simple yes or no answer.

As for any comments by Toni Harp you can mark those down in the clueless category. The possibly lost 56 million will be an even 100 million with all the debt that she has brought upon us. She can just roll it into her massive tax increase that's on its way if not this year then next.

The worst thing about all of this is all they do is steer the next election back to a person like Trump and his cronies with their dreams of "open borders".

@Anderson Scooper; Great Points. I am very concerned that by playing politics with this, the mayor is risking huge dollars that the city desperately needs.....and for what? The right to support a clearly broken system? When will we have politicians who are forward thinking and devise ideas that will help the people and strengthen their party?

I could not think of a worst person to be on the stairs than Rep. Rosa, who has done virtually nothing with respect to comprehensive immigration reform. Tired old liberal who is so far away from her "supposed base" living in Madison and DC.

Mr. AndersonScooper makes several valid points. A new politics is needed. This tired combative vacuous rhetoric of "liberal" democrats only plays into the politics of division. It has no vision or capacity but a few chest thumpers and their pretty powerless old tired people who turn out with their ridiculous signs. As for the other chest thumper, Trump, he has no vision except his own myopic ego driven mania.

His bombastic demagoguery better move all of us closer together for the well being of our democracy.

If ours is a nation of laws:

-citizens are not free to decide which laws they will obey and which they will not;

-public officials, who swear an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and the laws, are in violation of their oath when they knowingly violate the law and actively resist lawful enforcement of the law putting the public they are sworn to protect in peril.

No one should be surprised when the executive branch enforces the law.

No one should be surprised that the government may come looking for them if they are in violation of the law.

If ours is not a nation of laws, ours is not a nation.

@anderson. I believe there is majority agreement that a comprehensive immigration policy is needed. But this deportation crisis seems to be about to be come down NOW. If the undocumented residents of this city were rounded up and deported, it would create economic havoc and societal chaos here. Your elderly parents would not be cared for. Your favorite restaurants would be closed. It would take much longer to get things built or for your house to be repaired. Many neighborhoods in New Haven would be depopulated, leaving the streets and the houses to drug dealers, arsonists, and others whose presence subtracts from the stability and investment needed to keep a neighborhood healthy. The NHPS population would decrease, leading to teacher and staff layoffs.

If DACA young people were deported, we would lose the time invested in the improvement of their lives (public school, and college), and the priceless gifts that they, along with our own biological children, are adding to the present and future of our country. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THESE PEOPLE SUCH THAT WE THINK THEY ALL NEED TO BE PUT ON A PLANE? See my comments on previous immigration NHI article, for more details on this. Many of these people came here quite legally (on visas with proper US government screening) and then they just stayed, never went back. If you were earning $2 a day, and people were stealing the crops out of your fields and from your farm, you would probably be staying here too, and be glad to carry shingles up and down a ladder or fry food or empty bed pans or run tutoring programs or wash dishes or clean toilets or purchase your own home or join the historic church or synagogue that meant so much to the previous immigrants and you now keep the building full of life.

Just a couple of questions.. when it say deport illegal immigrants do that means all nationalities? we have all races of people that are hear illegal from Irish, Jewish,Jamaica,Africans,India,Muslims,German, Cuban,Domecian...etc I could go on and on. Secondly who's going to pick up the tabs for the grandstanding politicians because it's good for their election campaigns that's coming up...I hope that all of this was taken into consideration when the devil comes for his rewards...because it will be non others but the taxpayers and of course they will attempt to bully Yale into paying more..I really and truly don't get it with all the monies coming into this city how in the hell do we continue to be broke?? Don't these politicians work with budgets? I can't say consiences because it's obvious they don't have one... it's take everyone money and run like hell to invest in another fail project..we the people if we don't take a stand and make them more responsible for our tax dollars we are in for a big downfall and we all saw it coming and did nothing to stop it...I sympathize with the imagrants but let's not let our emotions and grandstanding over rule our common sense!!

The only funds at risk in New Haven are federal grants to police directly related to immigration.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/01/26/constitutional-problems-with-trumps-executive-order-on-sanctuary-cities/?utm_term=.a80c834080f9

InsideNout- did you read Anderson's post? He calls for NO deportation, amnesty for those here and a path to citizenship. I agree we need to "re-frame" this issue as so-called progressives- fighting for decades to move in the right directions on all issues.

Own the Responsibility Notes:

Immigrants – particularly Mexican immigrants – have become the target of convenience for the Trump administration. For those of us who don't care, or are thinking "good riddance", I am reminded of the words written by Pastor Martin Niemöller about the Nazis' rise to power and the subsequent purging of their chosen targets.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Exactly HOW does she plan to make up for all the lost $$$$$$ that are going to be withheld?

I suspect that Trumkkp's real agenda re: illegal immigrants and deportation is to pass some kind of national id law.

This national id would then be needed to vote, among other things.

On its face, this seems reasonable, except being inconsistent with conservative small government propaganda.

In practice, this would likely result in voter suppression among the disadvantaged--citizen or not.

Is this what we want?

I remind those who want to close our borders that such borders are a man-made construct. There are no naturally occurring national borders.

This is why it is so difficult to keep people from crossing such "borders."

Look, while we argue among ourselves about these things, income inequality in our society continues to expand.

This distracts us from what we should be prioritizing--resistance against the corporate and police state.

http://inequality.org/income-inequality/
http://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/a-guide-to-statistics-on-historical-trends-in-income-inequality
http://inequality.stanford.edu/publications/20-facts-about-us-inequality-everyone-should-know
https://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/the-united-states-of-inequality/?_r=0

It appears that some of us have a problem with immigrants. History shows that it was immigrants who came here as colonizers and murdered the indigenous who lived here. Now there are people literally leaving their home countries for sanctuary out of fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones and all you can do is cry. The countries many of them are fleeing from were victimized by our own government. The least we can do is take responsibility for our role in the evil that has gripped those countries and show some compassion by helping our fellow human beings who are in need.
Maybe we need to lose some of our comfort in order for us to realize that all of us are going to be affected by the policies #45 attempts to enact on this country.

great dialogue here...I'm finding the discussion more insightful and fact based than the story. fastdriver asks "Exactly HOW does she plan to make up for all the lost $$$$$$ that are going to be withheld?". Well, realizing that cutting costs is almost never considered, the only option is to raise taxes. Based upon the 2016 Grand List, it would require an increase of 9 points in the mill rate. We could probably assume some growth for the 2017 mill rate due to development and new appraisals which could cut a point or two.

Get ready for a crazy ride in 2017 - how will the town react to a mill rate approaching 50?

I know plenty of Jewish families who came here illegally to escape the Nazis. America would let in very few Jewish migrants, but guess what? When you're afraid for your life, you don't really care about the immigration laws. Go ahead and build a wall. You think they don't have ladders and boats in Mexico? You think people will give up on building a better life for their families?

We need a legal path to citizenship and a way forward. I do think we probably need reasonable and comprehensive immigration reform, but I just don't see a feasible way to just keep people out. A wall is just an expensive prop.

With all due respect, many of the commenters are missing the point. New Haven is currently in compliance with federal law. New Haven is not proposing breaking the law, the administration is proposing breaking the law by unconstitutionally commandeering the city (through the grant process) to enforce federal civil immigration law. We know this is unconstitutional because the conservative Supreme Court decided this exact issue four years ago in the Sebelius ACA case.

Comprehensive immigration reform was enacted in 1986. Citizenship was granted to those already here with a promise to stop further illegal immigration. The left undercut this deal by opposing use of e-verify, persuading courts to prohibit its use, and opposing easy visas for legal migrant workers to work in agriculture. The left, notably Sen. Melendez (D-NJ), opposed Bush's plan for further reform. Every new proposal for "reform" with a path to citizenship just encourages further illegal immigration by sending the message that if one just stays long enough, one will be legalized.
In fact, yes, Democrats are in favor of open borders, and also opposed to any meaningful obstacles to illegal immigrants voting. They often oppose deportation of all but the worst criminal immigrants.

No doubt Trump is eager to give a fat construction contract to a company like Halliburton or Bechtel to forever ingratiate them. I keep hearing a $25B price tag (which is probably low) and an upkeep cost of $700M per year. How about the cost of patrolling it? Unless there are eyes on every linear foot of this wall, people will just climb over it. Monumental waste of money. Pork barrel politics at its best.

"I cannot overemphasize this: New Haven police officers, school district employees, and other city workers do not — and will not — act to enforce federal immigration law. Those who represent this city act in support of all residents regardless of documentation and immigration status," she declared.

So let me get this straight, the Mayor gets to decide which laws are to be enforced and which laws are not to be enforced? I think NOT! Toni Harp needs to step off of her high horse and start obeying, and enforcing, the law herself. Next thing you know, you start to set a precedent and one by one other laws other not be enforced. Laws were created for a reason, to PROTECT U.S. citizens! If you want be a U.S citizen then do it the LEGAL way.

I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.

–Written 1917, accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443341/berlin-truck-massacre-proves-trump-right-immigration

I guarantee you 2/3 of the people feigning outrage over "not enforcing laws" are perfectly happy for the state and localities to ignore marijuana laws. F**k weed, legalize my neighbors

"The left, notably Sen. Melendez (D-NJ), opposed Bush's plan for further reform."
This is a convenient amnisia of the outrage Bush faced from his own party

"The call should not be for open defiance against the law of this land. Instead it should be for comprehensive immigration reform, and "closing the border" in exchange for amnesty, no deportations, and a path to citizenship for those who are already here."

Mr. Anderson Scooper

No sounder wisdom can be articulated than the above.

jepadilla
There was a Padilla, supposed leader in the New Haven community, who came out against the resident id card when New Haven acted when the federal government failed to act on comprehensive immigration reform.

3/5's rightly notes many many times that the "supposed leaders" with bullhorns and vacuous tired rhetoric are judas goats. Obama's DACA was a face saving crumb that he flicked off his table to get latinos to vote for him rather than self-deport money man Romney. A lot of good that did the immigrants. As Obama continued to deport record numbers of immigrants, the judas-goat Latino leaders led those "dreamers" into the cross-hairs of the nightmare they and their families now must face.

Bullhorns and ridiculous vacuous rallies are just ineffective, silly, and now just simply dangerous divisive diminutive demagoguery than can not overcome the bombastic demagoguery of Trump.

Maybe Bannon is right, when he told the NYT to shut up and listen. If we want a different outcome, we have do come up with a better approach than this silliness.

Robn,

If we wall off the entire planet, we can turn it into the Death Star and make the Star Wars Franchise pay for it.

Pounding your chest is nice, and it might please the crowd - but let's see how people feel when millions of dollars of Federal funding is lost. New Haven has been democratic since the stone age. Republicans may find an opening, and the loss of funds may lead to a change.

It amazes me to witness this faux impregnable grandstanding by these elected officials. I'm curious, how many of them would even allow any of these families to seek refuge in their own home? We'll allow the regular readers to answer that one. Simply put, other than opine loudly, there is absolutely nothing this mayor can do.

Other than Mrs. Matos (who has worked incessantly on behalf of the immigrant community), A. P. Chief Casanova, and to a lesser extent the clergy, I deem the display of boisterousness at this rally by Rosa D. and T. Harp, as being nothing but a saturation of political expediency at best.

Personally, the plight of the immigrant community is somewhat analogous to that of my foreparents who too traveled north to freedom (underground railroad) and for a better way of life for their families also. My feelings of support for their safety and success is intertwined with their desire to achieve success in this country that they too love as well.

What I find to be hypercritical with those who are adamant about building this great wall of Trump, is that there is never any talk about the northern border. Certainly I'm not misguided into understanding the ethnic difference between those who enter from the south vs. those who enter from the north as to the reason why the conversation is nonexistent. But even our representatives in congress fail to present this obvious dichotomy. So where's the true value in their protest? Is the mayor prepared to squander thousands in attorney fees to protect what can easily be removed? It wouldn't surprise me.

For the most part, I steer clear from questioning the motives of others regarding protests. But since the mayor has failed to produce a backup plan to protect these families should the Feds swoop down on the city with big nets, she deserves a Tony Award (no pun intended) for her theatrical performance in portraying a mayor that truly cares.

DeLauro "characterized as 'un-American' Trump's vows to deport more immigrants".
How is it un-American to deport people who are not LEGALLY American?
"and punish cities that welcome them".
Actually a 'sanctuary city' like New Haven is punishing itself—and, more specifically, New Haven taxpayers—because we're paying for the public school education and other municipal services for non-citizens. Since they're not here legally—they pay no taxes whatsoever, because they're part of the 'underground economy'. Anderson Scooper [above] outlines many sensible ideas—and sums up a huge reason why Trump won.
In addition to the chronic lack of border security, I believe another reason why Trump won was because the American people have grown weary of "presidential dynasties" as well as the dysfunction caused by careerist politicians—both Democrats and Republicans—who prioritize their cronies with paybacks—and mortgage the country to do so. These careerists are responsible for the hyper-partisanship that has divided our country by revving up constituents' emotions, so as to project themselves as the "only hope in our fight for__". To see how this works, just watch this article's video. Also, listening to a multimillionaire like DeLauro repeatedly champion the cause of "income inequality" sounds increasingly lame.
Noteworthy says "Rep DeLauro… is also part of the Dem party leadership who is so out of touch with working people here and across the country, that President Trump handily won the election". Speaking of being out of touch, it's also 'Noteworthy' that DeLauro's husband, esteemed pollster Stan Greenberg, predicted a landslide win by Hillary. Of course, nearly EVERY pollster made the same erroneous prediction. However, the Democratic Party has relied on Greenberg's polls for decades to set national party policy.

Let's all stop in saying that President Trump is against immigrants, what he is against is criminal immigrants and vetting people coming in from countries with terror ties. It's funny that if you are against the view of the democrats how evil they think you are. When they have marches they destroy things. If you say you support the president they scream at you. You can never say that you support him. I know what this country was founded on, but there is also laws you have to follow. Again it is the criminals he wants to get rid of. God forbid if somebody gets killed by somebody that was a criminal and was supposed the be deported but the city allowed them to stay. Democrats you talk about how you are so right and loving but if somebody has a different view you are so evil. My grandparents were immigrants and my wife is as well. Most of our country is I understand that, but it is a different time crime is out of control and there is terror out there. If all of these liberal's out there that live in Greenwich and Woodbridge why don't you take a couple into your big house. Or this that to close to you.

to Xavier:

interesting that you choose to disparage me out of nowhere -- wonder what that's about? Judas Goat -- really!! Two things: I've never labeled myself a "leader" of anything in this town. I don't speak for anyone or anything -- I just speak for myself as is my right and privilege. If you don't like what I have to say, that's fine and its your privilege. One thing you won't call me is a liar or a thief because I am neither. Second, I never "came out against" the ID card. What I did question was that the people who were pushing the hardest for undocumented residents to sign up for the card were those who had the least to lose/fear from it. Namely, our liberal/ progressive friends who are citizens!!! I questioned why someone would want to put themselves on a list that seemed to identify them as being undocumented? Did I think the ID card was a good idea -- not entirely. I certainly understood the motivations behind it and the symbolism of it. I support New Haven as a sanctuary city, and treat my fellow man and woman as the human beings they are. If differences of opinion makes me a Judas Goat, so be it. Trust me, I won't lose sleep over it.

ABC had got to stop his/her racist rants.
LISTEN this is not about immigration
This is about racism and hatred.
Bannon and Donnie will come for everyone that is not white and Christian.
Wake up!! Bannon had publicly said he is a"Leninist" he wants the destruction of the state. No Federal govt. lawlessness.
He controls Donnie, a second rate alcoholic blogger!! WAKE UP AND MARCH!!
Throw these bastards out.

"Since they're not here legally—they pay no taxes whatsoever, because they're part of the 'underground economy'."

Yeah you would believe this to make yourself feel better wouldn't you.

"
Most of our country is I understand that, but it is a different time crime is out of control and there is terror out there. If all of these liberal's out there that live in Greenwich and Woodbridge why don't you take a couple into your big house. Or this that to close to you."

Crime is at its lowest level since 1960, Greenwich is neithet liberal or welcoming to anyone who isnt rich, but you are correct, we do face terror. It seems like almost every other day a white dude snaps and goes on a shooting spree

Now, now Indabridge, no name calling.

You left out a bunch of the really creative banners though. The one with the president in a guillotine was clever, albeit in radically poor taste. Guess we don't have to be concerned about racism in criticizing the president anymore!