Otero Commissioners Pass Resolution Opposing Illegal Immigration and Support for Uninvited Migrants
Description: The Otero County Commissioners Passed an Ordinance Declaring that Otero County is Not a Sanctuary for Illegal Migrants during their Meeting on Monday, March 11, 2024...
The Following Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote by the Otero County Commissioners on Monday afternoon.
OPPOSING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND SUPPORT FOR UNINVITED MIGRANTS
WHEREAS, The Otero County Board of County Commissioners firmly believes any person immigrating to the United States should do so in a legal manner, following all applicable laws; and
WHEREAS, the present surge of uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants on the Southwest Border is negatively impacting numerous communities across the country; and
WHEREAS the continued and increasing number of uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants arriving by bus loads into Denver has caused the City of Denver to declare an emergency on Dec 15th, 2023, as their resources were overwhelmed; and
WHEREAS, the saturation of the urban Colorado resources to support uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants has already led to some dispersion into rural areas of Colorado and creates the possibility of groups arriving in the Arkansas Valley and Otero County;
and
WHEREAS, Otero County lacks the infrastructure and other resources necessary to accommodate any number of undocumented persons and/or illegal immigrants including sheltering, social services, public health, and public safety.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Otero, Colorado, that:
1. Otero County is NOT a sanctuary county and will not open shelters or provide services to uninvited migrants and/or illegal immigrants that may arrive in the Arkansas Valley and in Otero County.
2. Otero County will continue to place the needs of our local citizens first above requests for emergency or long-term assistance from non-citizens.
3. The Otero County Board of County Commissioners calls upon the United States Congress as well as the United States Executive Branch to immediately restore the rule of law along the Southwest Border by enforcing existing laws and rapidly creating a system to allow reasonable vetting of migrants who may then enter the United States legally and become productive members of this country.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and adoption.
Adopted this 11th day of March 2024.
Watch the Complete Meeting Video, Exclusive to SECO News:
