City government published a book Tuesday with a targeted audience — undocumented New Haveners facing possible deportation and neighbors seeking to help them.
“It’s a little book. There’s a lot of information,” Mayor Toni Harp said at a City Hall press conference unveiling the 45-page pocket-sized manual entitled Family Immigration Emergency Preparedness Guide: What To Do When Deportation Threatens.
The book, available in English with a Spanish-language edition at the printer, lists lawyers and agencies immigrants can turn to, steps to take to protect themselves and their families in advance of and during an arrest, advice on establishing standby guardians and other plans for legal American-born children’s care in case of arrest or deportation, and “how to find someone in detention.” The plan is to make the books available at City Hall as well as at agencies throughout the community.
The book was prepared by a mayoral committee of government and community leaders formed in response to President Trump’s election and stated plans for increased deportations and immigration raids. Harp said she formed the committee to respond to widespread “fear and a sense of upheaval” in the immigrant community by coming up with concrete plans to respond to raids and deportations. She called the effort “the highest and best purpose of government. Would that the new administration in Washington shared this belief. … In this city, we will work to make new residents feel welcome, safe, and secure, no matter where they used to live.” (Click here to read her full remarks.)
State Department of Children And Families chief Joette Katz said some 22,000 children live legally in Connecticut with undocumented-immigrant parents. Her department currently has custody of 4,300 children. “Can you imagine if that number gets to 26,000” through mass deportations? she asked.
City Chief Administrative Officer Martha Okafor, who oversaw the committee’s work on the handbook, said handbook is also aimed at helping New Haveners prepare to take in children of deported parents, with advice such as how to obtain social services for which they children are eligible.
Suzanne Lagarde, who runs the Fair Haven Community Health Center, said the handbook will be available at all 11 of her agency’s locations. She said 25 percent of FHCHC’s 1,812 clients “live in fear of deportation,” and many others fear for the fate of loved ones. The Cornell Scott Hill Health Center also plans to distribute the handbooks.
Caprice Taylor Mendez of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, who works with not-for-profit agencies, urged them all to stock the handbook as part of the broader effort in New Haven to support immigrants. She spoke of how she grew up in New Haven as the daughter of undocumented parents from Guatemala. “I wouldn’t be here supporting my community and giving back if it wasn’t for all the caring people who have touched my life,” she said.
Lee Cruz, who also works at the Foundation, is also a neighborhood organizer in Fair Haven. He said his family has already “made connection with an undocumented family” to help their children in case of a parent’s arrest. “Get this book. Read this book. Share it with” management teams and other neighborhood groups, he urged people.
“This is one of those areas where you’re proud to be from New Haven,” Board of Ed Chief Operating Officer Will Clark said of the collaboration on the project.
Just wondering who is paying for this. My property taxes have increased. I forgot Harp said she did raise property taxes (mil rate) they raised what my house is worth. (except hers decreased) So I guess we are paying for it. We have a lot more to pay for then this. Follow the law, you can't pick the laws you want to enforce. And stop with the lies there is one thing that won't get you deported. Don't break the law, if you don't drive drunk or shoot somebody you have nothing to worry about.
[Ed.: City government's paying. So far it's between $5,000 and $6,000.]