Boynton won’t be sanctuary city following unruly meeting

BOYNTON BEACH — Residents across Palm Beach County came to Boynton Beach on Tuesday to sound off on a national political issue that a city commissioner brought home: sanctuary cities.

The request on whether the city should pursue that designation — which refers to cities that decide not to cooperate with immigration authorities — was made by Commissioner Christina Romelus, a native of Haiti.

But her idea of having a “conversation” about the matter instead turned into a shouting, sign-waving, raw emotion-fueled meeting that was preceded by a threat of violent protests earlier in the day. Extra officers stood in the commission chambers and escorted the officials from their cars into the building.

It “brought out the best and the worst in Boynton Beach,” Boynton Commissioner Joe Casello said. The request was voted down 4-1. Not including the commissioners, 32 men and women gave their opinion, which included some throwing words around like “prostitution,” “drug car-

tels,” “racism” and “white supremacy.” Several times Mayor Steven Grant told the audience to quiet down. At one point, Romelus told him to control his meeting.

Romelus said she didn’t want police officers to actively pursue or engage residents to see if they are illegally living in the city. She said she wanted to have “home rule” and stop “Big Brother” or “big government.”

“In 2019 the residents of Nicaragua, Honduras and Haiti will be under a constant looming threat that if they’re caught, if they’re exposed, they’ll be deported to their country,” she said, speaking of when the Temporary Protected Status will end. Trump’s administration decided to end the TPS status.

While some residents praised Romelus for starting the discussion, the majority of the speakers opposed her, and some directed their frustrations at her specifically.

“You created anarchy out here,” said resident Cindy Falco-DiCorrado.

Resident Mike Carbone, a U.S. Marine, said his wife is a legal immigrant, and he had to take the same steps when he lived in Spain.

“You’re spitting in everybody’s face that did this the right way,” he said. “You proposing to violate federal law, frankly, you should be impeached and removed from office.”

Romelus failed to gather her colleagues’ support. The mayor and the three other commissioners cited the U.S. Constitution and the need to maintain ongoing partnerships with state and federal authorities.

Trump recently issued an executive order to deny money to cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials. A district judge in San Francisco ruled that order unconstitutional.

Romelus, who left the meeting early after the sanctuary city discussion ended, said she is disappointed by the behavior shown and the stance of her colleagues.

“A conversation is what I sought to have as we approach this issue because these people are currently legal in this country, they pay taxes and they are law-abiding residents. As they face this forced exodus, a little courtesy is all I asked for the board to consider,” she said Wednesday.

“Instead, I saw a very political effect take place, and the very people who took an oath to serve those who cannot protect themselves chose to yield in the face of opposition instead of fight for what’s right.”

But the immigration conversation in Boynton isn’t over.

Grant wants to talk at a future meeting about signing a certification of illegal immigration cooperation, which Palm Beach County did in October. It’s a request under the Trump administration for cooperation with its efforts to combat illegal immigration.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told county officials that cooperation would give PBSO a better shot at federal grant money and won’t call for his department to do anything more than it is already doing.

Meanwhile, Boynton’s neighbor to the north, West Palm Beach, passed a resolution in March that declared the city a “Welcoming City.” The declaration means employees will not help federal law enforcers round up immigrants for deportation unless specifically required to by state or federal law, or by court order.

Boynton Commissioner Joe Casello said the group lost sight of what was supposed to be discussed, and instead the conversation focused on raw emotion.

“Nothing gets resolved like that,” he said. “There’s definitely an issue here. I’m sure it’s countrywide when it comes to immigration. I think on a local level ... it’s really not our position to take that on as local politicians.”

Despite Vice Mayor Justin Katz’s difference in opinion with Romelus, he defended his colleague.

“If you came here tonight to label Commissioner Romelus a supporter of murderers and rapists, you are wrong. That is not her position.

‘I believe most illegal aliens that are here are good people, but are there some bad ones? Yes, there are some bad ones.’ Donald Tarca Boynton Beach resident since 1976

That is not what she’s talking about in any sense of the word. If you came here tonight to label someone like myself a racist or a xenophobe, you are wrong,” Katz said.

Regardless of not being a “sanctuary city,” Boynton Beach Police Chief Jeffrey Katz said police officers don’t actively pursue immigration status investigations anyway.

However, Katz said, the officers are encouraged to work with other agencies and have a legal obligation to share intelligence.

Among those in the audience at Boynton Beach City Hall was Donald Tarca, who handed out flyers in the parking lot that read, “NO sanctuary city’s (sic).”

“I believe that the city attempting to make Boynton Beach a sanctuary city is a bad policy. We’re asking the city to not follow federal laws. I believe most illegal aliens that are here are good people, but are there some bad ones? Yes, there are some bad ones,” said Tarca, who has lived in Boynton since 1976. “Also, this administration is not for sanctuary cities, so now you’re talking about us possibly having a legal fight with the U.S. government. It’s a waste of money all the way around for the city of Boynton Beach.”

Resident Adam Wasserman supported Romelus and said it’s critically important “to protect our immigrant friends, neighbors and family members.”