Chhaya Condemns ICE’s Attack on Sanctuary City Policies

Jackson Heights, NY — Chhaya CDC condemns the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency for using the tragic murder of Maria Fuertes of the Richmond Hill community to vilify immigrants, and denigrate the positive outcomes of New York City’s sanctuary policies.

We here at Chhaya extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Ms. Fuertes. At the same time, we reject the tactic by the federal government to exploit this act of violence to attack immigrant communities, and assign them to the shadows of society. In the wake of past tragedies the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community have been in the cross hairs of racial profiling and discrimination, thereby undercutting their confidence in the system.

NYC’s sanctuary ordinances ensure due process for everyone, helping witnesses or victims come forward to the authorities without fear of deportation. The city of New York should uphold and expand sanctuary policies in an effort to build real community safety.