Sanctuary Cities Bill Protest Planned Next Thursday
February 12, 2016
Dear WH&LA Lodging Member:
AB 450 and SB 369 on "Sanctuary Cities" Prohibitions were introduced in the State Assembly and State Senate in late October, with public hearings held in a committee in each house in late January and earlier this week. AB 450 passed out of committee and is scheduled for a vote on the Assembly floor this coming Tuesday, Feb. 16. The Senate version (SB 369) passed the Senate committee this morning and goes for scheduling to the Senate floor.
What does AB 450/SB 360 do?
Under the original bills, a city, village, town or county may not have an ordinance that prohibits their employees from inquiring about the immigration status of someone who has been "lawfully detained or arrested" or from cooperating with federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement. It is very important to note that this language changed with an amendment that was adopted by each that removed the "lawfully detained or arrested" language and replaced it with someone who has been "charged with a crime." We are aware that cities such as Madison and Milwaukee have prohibitions on checking immigration status currently.
Why is this important, in particular to Madison and Milwaukee properties?
The opposition to these bills has come from organizations such as Voces de la Frontera, the Hispanic Business & Professionals Association, Latinos United for Change & Development, plus the City of Milwaukee, City of Madison, and numerous legislators from Madison and Milwaukee districts and a growing number of Hispanics and Latinos.
There is now an organized massive rally planned for Thursday, Feb. 18 at 10:00 am at the state Capitol in Madison to protest these bills and another bill (SB 533) that would block the acceptance of local IDs, and we have learned that employees from many lodging properties in the Madison area plan to participate. Voces de la Frontera has also organized buses leaving Milwaukee at 8:00 am to go to the rally at the Capitol, so it is very likely than numerous Milwaukee properties will also have employees leaving to participate. Some employees have already shared this with their employers in advance; however, there is a likelihood that some may not provide advance notice, which can impact staffing coverage. For reference, the rally is being called the "Day Without Latinos & Immigrants."
As an important note, many of those planning to attend are still under the impression that their friends or family who happened to be stopped by law enforcement for any infractions such as speeding, etc. could face deportation (from the original bill language). The word has not yet spread that, with the passed amendment, their friends or family would have to be specifically charged with a crime before questions on immigration must be allowed. While many individuals will still want to participate in the protest rally, it is helpful that the correct facts be known.
WH&LA is not aware if any other Wisconsin cities may currently have such prohibitions, so we are notifying all lodging members in the event that this could impact your employees who may be planning to miss work to attend the rally to support their friends and family with immigration status concerns.
It is almost a certainty that there will be considerable media coverage of the protest, and it may be helpful for properties facing staff shortages that day to think ahead in the event you are contacted for comment.
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