State College council indefinitely tables resolution calling for ICE reforms
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Council tabled ICE reform resolution for a second time after extended discussion.
- Resolution urged federal reforms on identification, force, warrants, and protests.
- Members supported intent but delayed action citing lack of enforceable measures.
The State College council did not move forward with voting on a proposed resolution that calls for “timely and meaningful reforms” to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations on Monday and tabled the resolution for the second time.
The proposed resolution, brought forward by council member Matt Herndon, comes in the wake of two deaths in Minneapolis last month at the hands of federal immigration officers. The resolution urged federal authorities to make reforms, including:
- Prohibiting masks or face coverings that prevent federal agents from being clearly identified during enforcement actions
- Ending the use of violent force or chemical agents against peaceful protesters, those lawfully observing or providing humanitarian assistance
- Respecting lawful local and state investigations involving federal agents
- Ensuring that exercising Second Amendment rights is not treated as justification for the use of deadly force
- Reaffirming adherence to due process protections and judicial warrant requirements for all enforcement actions
But after more than an hour of discussion from the council and residents last week, council members opted to postpone the vote on the resolution. The council as a whole seemed to be in support of the message and intent of the resolution, but some worried it wasn’t backed up by actions, and that it could have the opposite effect in the community.
The council had a week to bring forward modifications to the resolution that members would support, but Herndon said Monday none were submitted. Instead of having more discussion and a potential down vote on the resolution, he made a motion to table the resolution again.
“I understand that there are many different perspectives on when to act. For me, my red line was clear video evidence of federal agents killing U.S. citizens in direct violation of multiple amendments to our Constitution,” Herndon said. “While this council has no official power to direct the actions of federal agencies or to change federal law, I had hoped that we could at least come together on this resolution to bear official witness to these violent violations of our Constitution, a document we have all sworn to uphold.”
He said he expects that if ICE operations continue down the path they’ve been going, other council members will eventually agree that it’s time to act. When that time comes, Herndon said he’s ready to support any resolution or proposed ordinance that addresses it within the council’s authority. Before making the motion to table, he said if council members wanted to vote against the motion to table, he’d join them to pass a version of the resolution that evening.
“If not, I’ll refocus on finishing our zoning update, improving the safety of our streets, balancing our budget and addressing other local priorities while staying ready for them to introduce something that they can support whenever their own red lines are crossed,” he said.
The council voted 4-2 to table it, with council members Nalini Krishnankutty, Gopal Balachandran, Kevin Kassab and Herndon voting in favor of tabling and council members John Hayes and Evan Myers voting against. Only Myers and Herndon made brief comments related to the resolution, since Herndon made the motion almost immediately and the council typically does not have discussions about a motion to table an agenda item.
In order for the council to take the resolution off of the table in the future, the council will need to vote to remove it from the table and add it to a future agenda.
