Immigrant rights

Criticized Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights for attacking the city at the No Kings march, saying the dispute is over methods, not goals.

Raised the CH4ImmigrantRights issue in connection with a No Kings protest.

Commended Councilwoman Cohen's legal clinic work as a model of constructive collaboration between council and community groups.

Representing Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights, disputed the chief's account of the February 28 stop, said evidence shows ICE coordination, and urged the mostly white council to listen to communities of color.

Drawing on his German upbringing, warned that surveillance systems expand step by step and urged council to reject Flock and license plate readers.

Thanked Cohen and the mayor for meeting with immigrant-rights advocates, cited 280 attendees at an ICE defense training, and asked the city to join the fight to protect immigrants.

Urged the city to cancel its Fox (Flock) Safety surveillance contract, citing data sharing with immigration agencies, and to fund legal representation for immigrants.

Ukrainian immigrant urged council to support the eight-point pro-immigrant proposal and fund legal representation and clinics for immigrants.

Urged council to support the eight-point pro-immigrant proposal and legislation funding legal representation and clinics.

Ukrainian immigrant asked council to do what it can to protect immigrants like her from ICE enforcement fears.

An immigration lawyer who explained that funding legal representation is not a sanctuary city policy.

A Ukrainian immigrant who said she fears for her family's safety and urged legal representation funding.

Asked the city to support and protect the immigrant community.

Read a statement on behalf of organizer Sheila Kelleher, citing the Cilantro raid anniversary and deaths in ICE custody.

Argued anti-racism requires action, not speeches, and noted the group's 90 members have spoken at 120 meetings.

Argued Cleveland Heights' values and turnout distinguish it from other suburbs that haven't acted.

Urged council to act now rather than freeze in fear, speaking for Cleveland DSA.

Executive director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, highlighted the legal clinics component and said Cleveland Heights could be a regional trailblazer.

Referenced the trans safe haven resolution and asked for an actionable policy with teeth this time.

Responded to Council Member Cobb's stated concerns about community support, vetting and legal status, urging him to help negotiate the proposal.

An attorney who stressed how much legal counsel changes immigration outcomes.

An attorney who argued cities have home-rule sovereignty to protect residents' due process.

Warned an ICE surge in Cleveland is a matter of when, not if, and asked for a timeline.

Executive director of the Northeast Ohio Worker Center, told the story of 'Jose,' detained despite work authorization, who self-deported after losing access to medication and counsel.

Descended from refugees, urged Cleveland Heights to lead on immigrant rights.

A 14-year resident and soccer coach who said immigrant players have left his team; urged funding right to counsel.

Marked one year since the ICE raid on Cilantro and urged council to act on the group's legal counsel proposal, saying 600+ immigrants in the city are at risk.

Spoke for AMI Friends of Immigrants, describing legal aid needs as federal status programs end.

Described sponsoring a Haitian asylum seeker and urged funding nonprofits with immigration lawyers rather than building city infrastructure.

Described two families separated by deportation and urged council to act.

Urged the legal representation proposal as an access-to-justice measure, not a sanctuary policy.