The president is taunting sanctuary cities with the possibility of releasing into our care people who are currently held in detention camps because they lack proper documentation.
While this release seems unlikely, it would behoove Amherst, Northampton, and other sanctuary cities to have a plan in place should 50, 100, or 500 people arrive in our communities and perhaps live with us for at least the time it takes to normalize their status.
I urge town leaders to seek the help of residents, religious and nonprofit organizations, health care and legal service providers, as well as emergency and security service personnel in formulating a plan for addressing the needs of released detainees. Subsequently and, if needed, business, industry, schools, colleges, skills training institutions, and sister communities could provide guidance in formulating a strategy for ongoing concerns.
Personally, I would appreciate clarification regarding our towns’ responsibility and accountability for keeping track of those released into our care, should this eventuality come to pass.
Whether or not detainees are released into our communities, formulating a plan would be worth the effort. Some of the proposed approaches could address the unmet needs of our towns’ most vulnerable residents.
Fredi Munger
Amherst
