Would you keep Newton’s “welcoming city” ordinance if it may mean losing federal funds?

Leading up to the November 4 local election, the Newton Beacon asked candidates in competitive elections for mayor and city council:

Would you support keeping Newton’s “welcoming city” ordinance if it may mean losing millions of dollars in federal funds?

John Chaimanis, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: Yes. While I hope that this remains a hypothetical scenario, I support the US and Massachusetts constitution and laws. Our ‘Welcoming City’ ordinance is in compliance with both.

Cyrus Dahmubed, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: Yes. It is fundamental that we protect and care for our friends, families, and neighbors and we must be clear that it is wrong to penalize a community that seeks to do so. I would push back in no uncertain terms on using our shared community resources against our neighbors. Should a decision around this arise, it will need to involve a serious, expansive, open, and community-wide conversation about our values and priorities, and ensuring that we are acting in such a way that reflects them.

Lisa Gordon, City Council Candidate, Ward 6 At-Large: Yes. The Welcoming City ordinance protects those who live here and from a legal perspective, Newton’s ordinance is in compliance with state law — which I would proudly commit to uphold as part of the oath of office of City Councilor in Newton.

Julie Irish, City Council Candidate, Ward 5: Yes. I would support keeping Newton’s Welcoming City ordinance even if it means the potential loss of federal funds. Newton has always been a welcoming community, long before there was an ordinance on paper. The ordinance simply reflects our values of dignity, fairness, and inclusion. As long as we are following the law, we should never compromise on protecting our residents. Our strength as a city comes from making sure everyone feels safe and respected, and that our commitment to our residents should not depend on outside financial pressure.

Josh Krintzman, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: Yes. I reject the premise of this question. Newton’s ordinance should, in no way, jeopardize federal funding.

Marc Laredo, Mayoral Candidate: Yes. As the son of immigrants, I fully support the “welcoming city” ordinance. It’s the right policy—in terms of public safety, health and city services–and it’s also the right moral position for our city.

Garry Miller, City Council Candidate, Ward 5: Yes. The “welcoming city” ordinance is important to public safety – ensuring that immigrants feel comfortable interacting with the police, and is a statement of our support for all our residents. I strongly support it against attempts at bullying the city from the federal government. However, at this time I am hopeful it will not come to that. The Administration recently removed Newton from its list of “sanctuary cities” and has suffered losses in court in other similar cases.

Sean Roche, City Council Candidate, Ward 6 At-Large: Yes. This one’s easy. I’m not willing to sacrifice our friends, our neighbors, the people who work in and for the city for money. The threat of withholding federal funds based on welcoming-city status is part of a broader pattern of federal overreach which is also worth taking a stand against.