WHEREAS:
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) International is a progressive labor union that represents workers and retirees in the non-profit, higher education, cultural/arts and government sectors; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME International is committed to fighting for, in our workplaces and beyond: the rights, safety and protection of all workers; racial and social justice; economic equity and fair taxation; affordable health care for all; equality in quality public education; public community services; jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits; and retirement security for all workers, regardless of immigration status; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME International includes workers who are immigrants and whose family members and communities are immigrants. These members and their communities are under attack due to the Trump administration’s unlawful and immoral actions since taking office on Jan. 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS:
The arrest, detention and deportation of lawful permanent residents under flimsy pretenses, the refusal to comply with the judge-mandated return of unlawfully detained individuals, the murders committed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of multiple American citizens and countless other violations of federal law have created an environment of fear within our communities and among our immigrant neighbors and fellow workers; and
WHEREAS:
The Trump administration has, since assuming office on Jan. 20, 2025, taken several unconstitutional and illegal actions explicitly aimed at limiting or outright removing constitutionally-protected rights and freedoms of people in the United States, such as ending birthright citizenship as enshrined by the Fourteenth Amendment; and
WHEREAS:
The Trump administration has ordered the defunding of and withholding of federal tax dollars to sanctuary cities and jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities; and
WHEREAS:
The health, safety, security and freedom of AFSCME members, their families and loved ones to live and work free of the fear that these federal actions have created is of paramount importance; and
WHEREAS:
Cities and municipalities across the United States have adopted “sanctuary city” resolutions, indicating that local law enforcement will not assist in the arrest of undocumented immigrants detained by ICE, nor would local jails hold ICE detainees; and
WHEREAS:
Colleges and universities across the United States have declared themselves “sanctuary campuses,” where officials have agreed not to volunteer the immigration status of their residents, workers or students, or to cooperate with ICE; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME International will continue to enthusiastically embrace its responsibility to represent all of its members, regardless of race, immigration status, national origin, religion, age, disability, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation and will not be impeded or intimidated from exercising that responsibility; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME International is committed to ensuring that the affiliates under its jurisdiction continue to be safe and welcoming places for all members and their families, regardless of their immigration status.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME International declares itself a “sanctuary union,” and will protect the rights and safety of all of our membership regardless of immigration status:
- We will not voluntarily cooperate with federal agents to enforce immigration laws, including, but not limited to:
- Collecting personal information from our members or other individuals which might reveal their immigration status, except as required by federal I-9 requirements applicable to union employees; and
- Assisting federal immigration agents to identify, share information about or otherwise provide support;
- We will provide AFSCME members with informational resources and tools, including “know your rights” training;
- We will provide support for new contract language that strengthens workplace protections for immigrant members, regardless of status;
- We will continue to build alliances with others working to protect immigrant communities, participating in collective action when and where possible and appropriate; and
- We will support collective action in pushing elected representatives at the city, county, state and federal levels to do everything in their power to protect immigrants, regardless of status, including advocating for the passage of legislation aimed at this goal, such as the DREAM Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
AFSCME International stands in solidarity with all communities under attack from ICE and Border Patrol, including raids and arrests of immigrants with no regard for the length of time lived in the U.S., their existing visa or green card status or family ties. We understand that the time for unity is now. We stand united with all workers, particularly the most vulnerable among us. Solidarity is key to beating back the attacks on immigrants, workers and unions.
SUBMITTED BY:
Halcyone Schiller, President and Delegate
Youssef Shokry, Delegate
AFSCME Local 397, District Council 47
Pennsylvania