An ordinance of the County of Allegheny... Tax Exemptions for Longtime Owner-Occupants

Presented a letter with over 140 supporting organizations and 3,700 resident signatures in favor of local immigrant protection legislation.

Urged council to pass legislation preventing county employees from acting as agents of federal immigration enforcement.

Expressed support for the anti-ICE bill and cautioned council to review land-use and landlord provisions in the LOOP ordinance.

Argued against using county tax dollars and resources to honor federal immigration detainer requests.

Called on council to support legislation protecting local resources and immigrant residents.

Shared experiences from Texas regarding how local police cooperation with ICE destroys public trust and safety.

Stressed that immigration enforcement impacts entire families and community safety during interactions with county services.

Delivered a letter from the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition and local groups supporting protections for immigrants.

Warned that local cooperation with federal immigration authorities undermines public safety and erodes community trust.

Argued that the proposed ordinance is legally sound, does not violate federal law, and prevents costly liability.

Strongly criticized federal immigration enforcement tactics and urged passage of the local ordinance.

Voiced support for immigrant residents and urged council to defund cooperation with ICE.

Expressed outrage as a county employee at the allocation of public resources toward federal enforcement.

Testified that ICE actions threaten community safety and that the county must refuse collaboration.

Shared personal fears regarding immigration enforcement and urged council to vote yes on the ordinance.

Highlighted how ICE cooperation damages the fragile trust between community members and law enforcement.

Spoke on behalf of PILN about the local financial costs and constitutional risks of immigration partnerships.

Read a statement highlighting the economic contributions of immigrants in Allegheny County.

Read an anonymous statement from an immigrant resident expressing fear and urging council protection.

Shared the Bhutanese refugee community's contributions and ongoing fears regarding immigration enforcement.

Questioned whether county jail facilities or resources would be used for federal detention under 287(g) agreements.

Described how ICE actions inside county court and child welfare facilities disrupt child dependency and foster care services.

Drew historical parallels between the Fugitive Slave Act and modern immigration enforcement.

Voiced support for the Somali Bantu community and urged council to choose humanity over hatred.

Urged swift committee action on the ordinance in anticipation of increased federal immigration enforcement activity.

Thanked council members supporting the ordinance and urged uncommitted members to vote in favor.

Shared local impacts of immigrant detention in Brentwood and urged council to prioritize trust and justice.

Spoke as a union representative about the vital role of immigrant workers in the building trades.

Called on council to embody the spirit of Mr. Rogers by protecting vulnerable neighbors from enforcement actions.

Spoke as a Swissvale council member and immigrant endorsing the ordinance to preserve public safety.

Testified from Forward Township in support of the ordinance to prevent human rights abuses and preserve trust.

Shared former law enforcement experience arguing that true public safety requires protecting community freedom and trust.

Spoke on behalf of MILPA urging council to protect immigrant families from racist persecution and fear.

Expressed North Hills Progressives' support for limiting information sharing and cooperation with ICE.

Urged council to vote yes on the ordinance to keep Pittsburghers safe from aggressive federal actions.

Spoke as a social worker about the terror experienced by immigrant clients and urged council action.

Urged the council to pass the ordinance banning cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Called for substantive, punitive local legislation against ICE agents violating county laws.

Urged council members to support the anti-ICE ordinance and protect vulnerable community members.

Shared personal experiences as a domestic violence survivor seeking assistance from county systems.

Raised local neighborhood and senior advocacy concerns regarding council conduct and public transportation.

Spoke on behalf of ATAC advocating for the ordinance to prevent negative public health and economic impacts.

Endorsed the ordinance on behalf of Allegheny United for Immigrant Rights and Justice.

Read a statement from Faysola Akintola emphasizing the importance of a welcoming community.

Spoke on behalf of PIN advocating for law enforcement accountability and unmasked identification.

Urged council members to be brave and vote in favor of the anti-cooperation ordinance.

Testified as a law student regarding due process violations and urged passage of the ordinance.

Voiced support for the ordinance alongside fellow law students and urged council action.

Shared personal history of domestic abuse threats involving immigration status to illustrate local impacts.

Testified as an attorney that ICE routinely uses county court systems and resources to detain individuals.

Shared family history and fears regarding immigration enforcement affecting U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico.

Urged council to consider the historical legacy of their legislative actions regarding fascism and civil rights.

Highlighted hotline experiences regarding domestic violence victims fearing deportation when contacting authorities.

Applauded citizen bravery and encouraged council to carefully consider public testimony.