Supporting some of our most vulnerable immigrant communities is important for humanitarian, economic, and social reasons. Although we have limited power at the municipal and state level to influence national immigration policies, we can still take actions here to support our neighbors, many of whom have worked and lived among us for years, if not decades. I support comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level that keeps families together and provides for legal status and pathways to citizenship for DACA recipients and long-term residents, as well as those who are fleeing violence in other countries. I also believe that, despite our limitations, we can take action here at home to help protect and immigrant communities from ethnic profiling and adverse immigration consequences.

• Access to basic services. Everyone who lives and works in our state should have access to essential services. We can enshrine access to such services in law and support access to essential services by requiring data collection and preservation in a manner that shields if from subpoenas or from use in deportation proceedings.

• Educate about available pathways to legal status. Several pathways to lawful residency already exist but are perpetually under-utilized. We can train agencies to identify these pathways and support victims.

• Limit funding. We should not allow local financial resources to support federal deportation efforts.

• Provide legal resources. The federal landscape will be highly unpredictable with laws and executive orders expected to change frequently. Legal representation significantly impacts the results of deportation hearings. We should support our small businesses who want to sponsor employees for work permits and provide legal assistance to individuals who wish to pursue legal status.