►
From YouTube: Committee on Government Operations on July 10,2018
Description
Docket #0240 - Hearing to explore voting rights for immigrants with legal status and other inclusive practices.
A
Afternoon,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
my
name
is
city
councilor,
Lodge,
Michael
Flaherty,
the
chair
of
the
Governance
Committee
joined
by
my
colleague
city
council
president
in
lead,
sponsor
Andrea
Campbell,
also
by
my
colleague,
city
councilor,
Edie,
Flynn,
district
city
council
from
South
Boston,
Chinatown,
South,
End
and
Bay
Village.
We
are
here
today
to
discuss
talk,
it's
zero,
two
four
zero.
In
order
for
a
hearing
to
explore
voting
rights
for
immigrants
with
legal
status
and
other
inclusive
practices,
we
this
matter
was
sponsored
as
I
mentioned
by
city
council.
A
President
Andrea
Campbell
referred
to
the
committee
back
on
January
31st
of
2018.
This
hearing
is
a
discussion
about
the
possibility
of
allowing
immigrants
with
legal
status
to
vote
in
municipal
elections
and
to
examine
other
inclusive
practices,
and
immigrant
with
legal
status
refers
to
a
number
of
populations,
including
legal,
permanent
residents,
visa
holders,
temporary
protected
status
recipients
in
deferred
action
for
childhood
arrival
recipients.
To
reiterate
this
is
there's
no
proposed
legislation
on
the
table.
A
This
is
an
order
to
have
a
discussion
I'd
like
to
note
that
this
hearing
is
being
recorded
but
will
be
broadcast
at
a
later
date:
Comcast
channel
8,
RC,
n
82
and
Verizon
1964
in
streamlined
on
the
Boston
City
Council
TV.
That
we've
also
been
joined
by
my
colleague
city
councilor,
Ayanna
Presley
and
my
colleague,
city
councilor,
Josh
Zakim,
and
without
further
ado.
I
also
have
received
letters
from
colleagues
city
council
resource
avi.
George
sent
a
letter
that
she
regrets
that
she's
unable
to
attend.
A
As
a
remember
who
signed
on
to
the
order
offered
by
council
president
emo,
she
supports
today's
public
dialogue
about
the
important
topic.
We
also
received
a
letter
for
our
colleague,
City
Council
Tim
McCarthy,
it's
with
great
disappointment,
I'm,
not
evil
to
ten
cities,
hear
me
grad
regarding
the
right
and
privilege
of
voting
in
the
night
states.
A
My
family
scheduled
reunion
and
I'm,
currently
not
in
the
country,
I
respect
the
requests
that
you
read
this
letter
into
the
record
make
certain
that
all
councils
receive
a
copy
of
the
attached
letter
as
a
state
in
the
past
and
explained
in
detail
through
attached.
Correspondence
voting
is
a
right
and
a
privilege
for
those
who
took
the
oath
to
be
a
citizen
of
these
great
United,
States
and
I
am
and
will
remain
confident.
A
B
B
B
We're
constantly
talking
about
that
news
right
here
in
this
chamber,
every
Wednesday,
typically
watching
families
being
separated
children
being
torn
from
their
parents,
those
who
serve
in
our
military
being
abruptly
discharged
without
cause
rounding
up
certain
immigrants
and
shipping
them
back
to
their
countries
pulling
in
local
agencies,
including
our
school
department.
Sometimes
to
be
a
part
of
this
malicious
plan.
B
We
have
to
ask
ourselves
and
I:
ask
myself:
what
can
we
do
about
this,
and
given
the
demographics
in
this
city,
and
in
my
district
in
particular,
immigration
is
an
important
issue
right
now,
not
only
for
the
folks
who
are
seeking
citizenship
or
who
are
here
legally,
but
also
for
citizens.
I
am
live
in
a
neighborhood
where
some
of
my
neighbors
are
either
permanent
legal
residents
or
seeking
citizenship
or
or
on
a
pathway
to
get
citizenship.
B
B
We
had
a
rally
or
a
get-together
right
here
in
the
in
City
Hall
in
the
Piemonte,
a
room
and
one
of
the
folks
who
was
leading
the
conversation
and
the
room
was
packed
by
the
way.
But
one
of
the
folks
who
was
leading
the
conversation
said
I'm,
sick
and
tired
of
our
elections,
showing
up
only
for
certain
communities,
particularly
immigrant
communities,
in
a
reactionary
response,
very
often
in
crisis,
at
different
moments.
So
how
can
we
be
proactive
in
helping
these
communities
feel
strengthened?
B
Feel
empowered
I've
received
a
lot
of
emails,
as
you
can
imagine,
a
lot
of
calls
and
they've
actually
not
all
been
negative.
Some
have
also
been
positive
and
talking
about
the
value
of
citizenship,
of
course,
and
talking
about
what
it
means
and
for
some
they
feel
as
though
this
may
demean
their
citizenship.
I'd
like
to
think
that
there
are
some
folks
who
view
their
citizenship
differently,
some
say
being
a
citizen
in
the
United
States
of
America.
That
voting
is
that's
the
number
one
thing
and
they're
happy
about
that.
B
There
are
some
who
think
travelling
freely
across
the
world
is
the
best
benefit
that
you
get,
and
so
this
conversation
today
will
extend
not
every
possibility
or
every
privilege
or
every
responsibility.
I
should
say
that
is
afforded
u.s.
citizen
to
immigrants,
we're
only
talking
about
the
possibility
of
voting
in
local
elections,
not
state
or
federal
elections,
and
we're
also
talking
about
other
ways
to
support
these
communities,
and
that
may
mean
having
a
multilingual
campaign
that
says
you
were
welcome
here.
It
may
mean
doing
more
for
our
students
in
bps.
B
It
may
mean
having
municipal
ID
cards.
It
may
mean
having
moments
where
longtime
residents
connect
with
newcomers.
It's
a
whole
host
of
things
and
I
think
the
administration
today
will
address
those
possibilities,
as
well
as
some
of
our
constituents,
but
today
is
a
conversation
that
I'm
looking
forward
to
and
I'll
add
for
those
folks
who
voted
as
the
number
one
thing
and
the
best
thing
about
being
a
US
citizen.
I
will
tell
you
the
numbers
of
those
who
turn
on
our
elections.
B
Aren't
so
great,
so
we
got
to
do
a
better
job
and
so
I
don't
know
that
all
folks
in
this
city
view
or
equate
being
a
US
citizen
the
same
way.
So
today
is
a
conversation.
I
look
forward
to
having
it
and,
as
my
colleagues
know,
I'm
never
afraid
to
have
a
conversation.
So
I
want
to
thank
my
colleagues
for
being
a
part
of
this,
and
I
also
want
to
thank
the
administration
as
well
in
advance
for
their
participation,
Thank.
A
C
Thank
you
to
the
chair
council
Authority
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
on
this
issue.
Thank
You
council,
president
Kimball,
for
for
your
leadership
as
well
I'd
like
to
say
that
my
position
is
that
I
am
opposed
to
a
measure
that
would
allow
non-citizens
to
vote
in
our
elections.
I
do
feel
the
right
to
vote
is
a
privilege
reserved
for
u.s.
citizens.
I
believe
that
the
right
to
vote
is
a
unique
characteristic
in
privilege
in
reserved
for
those
individuals
who
have
gone
through
the
extensive
extensive
citizenship
application
process.
C
However,
I
do
not
want
to
stifle
discussion
or
other
people's
positions
in
opinions.
I
think
the
Boston
City
Council
can
and
does
serve
as
an
example
to
demonstrate
that
we
can
have
debates
and
discussions
with
decency
and
civility
toward
one.
Another.
I
may
have
differing
opinions,
but
we
can
show
that
we
are
able
to
treat
each
other
with
respect
and
dignity
over
the
course
of
this
year.
C
Recently,
my
colleagues
to
denounce
the
action
at
the
border
to
separate
children
from
families
many
times
I
have
supported
efforts
to
make
those
to
save
TPS
or
temporary
protected
status
for
Haitian
earthquake
victims.
I
was
also
proud
to
be
part
of
the
u.s.
relief
efforts
following
the
devastation
of
that
country.
We
are
proud
that
those
seeking
asylum
from
violence
look
to
the
United
States
as
a
beacon
of
hope
in
the
world.
I
appreciate
efforts
to
call
attention
to
the
contributions
of
our
immigrant
communities,
to
the
United
States
and
to
the
city
of
Boston.
C
I
proudly
served
in
the
most
diverse
organization
in
the
world.
The
United
States
military
I
served
in
the
Navy
for
25
years,
alongside
many
of
many
immigrants
on
the
iraqi
oil
platforms
throughout
the
Persian
Gulf
Joint
Task
Force
Guantanamo
at
the
Pentagon
in
a
basis
throughout
the
United
States
immigrants
served
our
nation
bravely
in
honorably,
since
the
American
Revolution
I've
seen
firsthand
immigrants
serving
our
country
in
putting
others
above
themselves.
In
short,
I've
witnessed
their
bravery,
determination
in
love
of
America
I,
appreciate
all
the
enormous
contributions
made
by
immigrants
to
our
country.
C
D
D
D
If
my
my
sourcing
is
correct
here
and
I
look
forward
to
hearing
from
our
elections,
commissioner,
but
in
the
last
mayoral
election,
despite
the
fact
that
we
have
some
four
hundred
and
eighteen
thousand
registered
voters,
only
one
hundred
and
nine
thousand
participated,
that's
twenty
percent.
So
although
this
is
a
sacred,
very
sacred
right,
many
people
are
not
exercising
that
right.
So
again,
voting
is
one
of
the
most
important
ways
for
our
constituents
to
have
their
voices
heard.
D
The
dialogue
between
constituents
and
Representatives
does
not
end
on
Election
Day,
but
the
vote
is
how
we
decide
who
our
partners
are,
and
it
is
the
foundation
of
the
highest
ideals
of
this
country.
We
all
deserve
a
say
in
how
we
govern
ourselves,
and
that
is
why
I
support
the
intent
behind
this
hearing
order.
D
Now,
as
a
council
body,
we
have
stood
in
solidarity
with
dreamers,
TPS
holders
and
other
immigrant
groups
that
have
been
under
attack
from
this
White
House
and
administration,
and
we
should
be
considering
proactively
with
intention
every
avenue
to
be
a
more
inclusive
City
and
to
actualize
the
values
that
we
espouse.
I,
look
forward
to
the
testimony
and
will
remain
focused
on
ensuring
today
and
beyond
that,
every
Bostonian
feels
they
have
a
voice
in
their
government.
E
You
mr.
chair
I
want
to
echo
my
colleagues
comments
and
looking
back
on
the
actions
this
body
has
taken.
Certainly
in
the
four
and
a
half
years,
I've
been
here
of
standing
with
our
immigrant
neighbors
and
residents,
whether
it
was
on
the
Boston
Trust
Act,
whether
it
was
the
recent
resolution
opposing
President
Trump's
policies
of
separating
families
at
the
border,
something
that
was
such
a
poor
on
behavior
that
even
this
president
and
this
White
House
decided
to
stop
doing
it.
E
Whether
it's
about
the
schools,
whether
it's
about
our
police
departments,
our
public
works,
our
trash
pickup
schedules,
I
mean
these
are
all
things
that
impact
folks,
everyday
lives
and
making
sure
it's
available
in
the
appropriate
language,
both
in
documents
online
and
when
people
are
calling
in
is
incredibly
important.
I
look
forward
to
hearing
more
from
this
and
I
want
to
thank
everyone
for
being
here
today.
Thank.
F
Want
to
say
thank
you
to
the
chair
and
to
president
Campbell,
for
this
I
think
very
important
conversation
I
wanted
to
just
get
out
ahead
and
say
that
this
is
I
hope.
This
is
not
a
question
really
about
the
importance
of
voting
or
really
the
the
the
importance
or
the
contributions
of
many
of
our
immigrant
neighbors
family
members,
and
here
in
Boston.
F
I
really
hope
that
this
is
the
conversation
about
civic
participation
and
in
assuring
that,
but
in
addition
to
not
only
native-born
Americans
that
we
also
make
sure
that
our
city
is
as
broad
and
inclusive
as
possible
to
assuring
that
immigrants
feel
that
they
can
civically
participate.
One
of
the
ways
is
through
voting,
but
there
are
many
other
ways
and
I
just
wanted
to
also.
Let
folks
know
that
there's
many
other
forms
of
voting
as
well.
F
Participatory
budgeting
is
a
form
of
direct
voting
on
budgets
that
cities
have
implemented
and
allow
people
as
young
as
12
years
old
to
vote
on
this
is
this
is
a
moment
of
I
think
creativity,
not
consternation.
That
does
not
need
to
be
conflict
right
now.
In
this
conversation,
I
do
not
want
to
entertain
any
anti-immigrant
voices
in
this
conversation.
This
is
not
about
what
we
aren't
as
a
city.
F
This
is
what
what
we
can
be
as
a
city
and
what
I
have
stated
firmly
already
that
when
it
specially
comes
to
the
immigrants
who
may
not
have
their
citizenship
yet,
but
are
willing
to
die
for
the
democracy
that
allows
this
process
to
happen,
those
serving
in
our
US
military,
those
who
are
veterans
again,
who
are
not
yet
u.s.
citizens
I,
firmly
think
that
if
there's
one
thing
that
the
city
of
Boston
can
give
them
and
that's
an
additional
voice
in
local
politics,
I
am
perfectly
fine
with
that.
F
So
I'm
just
saying
that
outright
I'm,
the
daughter
of
a
veteran
I,
grew
up
on
military
bases.
I
did
not
serve
in
Iraq,
but
while
my
friend's
parents
were
there,
we
had
therapy
sessions
at
the
Air.
Force
Base
is
to
make
sure
that
we
were
connected
and
none
of
us
cared
or
would
have
cared
about
the
status
of
the
person's
person
who
was
serving
in
the
US
military.
So
that's
I'm,
putting
it
out
there.
A
G
Just
wanted
to
Thank
You
mr.
chair
and
thank
you
councillor,
Campbell,
for
introducing
this
important
hearing
order.
As
I
think
someone
already
mentioned,
we've
received
a
lot
of
input
from
residents
of
the
city
through
email
through
calls.
Much
of
it
has
been
very
nasty
and
negative,
and
it's
very
disheartening
that
residents
in
the
city
of
Boston
don't
want
to
even
entertain
a
conversation.
G
How
can
we
call
ourselves
a
democracy
if
we're
not
even
willing
to
have
a
conversation
about
our
democracy
if
we're
not
willing
to
have
a
conversation
about
who
can
participate
with
voting
and
with
elections?
I
think
voting
is
probably
one
of
the
most
important
things
that
we
can
do
as
residents
of
a
city
who
cares
about
what
happens?
G
We
have
a
city
of
immigrants,
a
large
immigrant
population,
I'm
very
much
interested
in
and
hearing
what
our
panel
has
to
say
about
this
and
I
have
some
questions
mostly
I'm
here
to
listen,
but
I
just
wanted
to
put
on
the
record
how
discouraging
and
disheartening
it's
been
to
to
hear
the
nastiness
that
we
often
talk
about
is
down
in
DC,
and
it's
right
here
in
our
back
yard.
So
anyway,
thank
you
so
much.
A
Thank
You
councillor
and
so
welcome
to
the
first
panel,
we're
gonna
get
right
into
a
panel
discussion.
We
have
two
panels
and
we
obviously
have
public
testimony.
So
just
ask
folks
to
be
cognizant
of
that
that
we
have
a
heavy
agenda
and
like
to
try
to
get
in
as
much
as
possible
if
people
can
be
as
brief
as
possible.
That's
always
helpful.
So
joining
us
today
is
Chief
Marty,
Martinez,
chief
of
Health
and
Human
Services
joined
by
our
director,
Alejandro
sang-hee
and
mayor's
office
of
immigration
advancement
and
also
Commissioner
do
an
Irish
who's.
A
H
Sure
so,
good
afternoon,
chairman
Flaherty
and
council
Cambell,
and
to
all
councillors.
Thank
you
for
inviting
us
to
be
here
with
you
today,
as
the
chief
of
Health
and
Human
Services.
I
want
to
be
able
to
express
appreciation
to
sort
of
have
an
opportunity
to
think
about
all
the
inclusive
practices
and
the
work
that
this
city
has
done,
and
the
administration
continues
to
do
with
your
support
to
support
our
immigrants
in
our
community.
H
As
as
a
mexican-american
myself,
who's.
Both
sets
of
grandparents
were
born
in
Mexico
and
immigrated
to
this
country.
These
issues
are
readily
important
to
me
personally
and
I
wouldn't
be
able
to
sit
here
with
you
today
without
the
accomplishments
of
immigrants
and
what
they've
done
for
for
me
personally,
which
is
true
for
many
of
us
here,
and
so
as
a
member
of
the
administration
I,
stand
here
to
sort
of
share
with
you
briefly,
some
of
those
practices
that
we've
come
into
play
and
some
of
the
commitment
that
we
have
as
a
city
government.
H
H
So
again,
an
example
where
we
are
actively
engaged
in
the
community
to
ensure
that
all
people
have
a
voice,
there's
other
examples
where
we're
already
doing
that
work
as
an
administration,
in
addition
to
some
of
the
other
opportunities,
and
that
has
to
do
with
ensuring
that
immigrants
have
access
to
housing
and
resources
free
of
discrimination.
So
our
Office
of
Fair,
Housing
and
equity,
for
example,
continues
to
work
with
and
investigate
any
housing
discrimination
that
happens
in
our
community,
especially
when
that
comes
and
discrimination
that
has
to
do
with
national
origin
or
immigration
status.
H
We
work
to
defend
our
immigrant
brothers
and
sisters
to
ensure
they
have
access
to
housing
and
access
to
those
resources.
We
have
an
array
of
programs
within
the
Health
and
Human
Services
cabinet,
and
most
of
that
really
valuable
work
is
led
by
Alejandra
and
her
team
for
the
mayor's
office
of
jurgen
advancement
and
I'm.
H
Let
her
share
most
of
those
pieces,
but
I
want
to
prioritize
the
other
services
that
we
also
have
as
well,
whether
it's
the
English
as
a
second
language
courses
that
run
at
a
multitude
of
our
community
centers
to
engage
the
immigrant
population.
We
know
learning
English
and
mastering
English
is
a
huge
step
in
being
able
to
be
engaged
and
being
able
to
participate
in
any
process,
and
so
that's
a
huge
commitment
we've
made
through
our
BC
YF
and
through
our
partners
that
we
have
do
all
of
that
programming.
H
Our
access
to
our
variety
of
programs
through
our
Health
Committee,
whether
it's
programs
through
recovery,
whether
it's
programs
through
our
office
of
recovery
services,
our
office
of
food
access,
where
we're
delivering
meal
programs
to
youth
all
across
the
city.
Again
all
services
accessible
to
people,
regardless
of
immigrants,
immigration
status,
regardless
of
documentation.
H
I
think
one
of
the
pieces
I
want
to
leave
you
with
is
that
you
know
we
remain
committed
to
ensuring
that
everyone
has
the
ability
to
have
their
voices
raised,
and
that
seems
to
be
what
we're
talking
about
in
this
particular
scenario
that
people
have
the
ability
to
have
access,
engagement
and
connection
to
our
city
government.
The
the
administration
and
Mayor
Walsh
remain
committed
to
that.
I
Thank
you
so
much
Thank,
You
councillors,
Campbell
and
and
Flaherty
for
hosting
this.
This
hearing
in
this
discussion,
I'm
gonna,
go
over
a
little
a
highlight
of
the
work
that
we
did
an
FY
18,
a
lot
of
which
is
continuing
in
FY
19
and
then
give
some
background
on
non
citizen
voting
and
and
in
particular
other
ways
that
we
can
encourage
civic
participation
among
immigrants,
regardless
of
status.
I
recently
had
a
budget
hearing,
so
I
went
over
all
of
this
I
don't
want
to
get
too.
You
know
too
much
into
details.
I
So
some
of
the
work
that
we've
done
as
part
of
our
immigrant
advancement
initiative
includes
the
municipal
leaders
for
immigration
and
immigrant
advancement
summit,
which
brought
together
local
leaders.
We
helped
create
a
fund
for
daca
renewals,
because
that
of
residents
would
have
to
renew
sooner
than
expected
are
to
immigrants
with
loved
public
arts
campaign,
our
annual
citizenship
day,
which
we
do
every
year
in
collaboration
with
project
citizenship.
I
In
our
most
current
one,
in
September
of
last
year,
we
had
three
sub
375
applicants
and
65
different
countries
represented
in
over
150,000
dollars,
saved
and
application
fees
through
our
fee
waiver
program
and
that's
a
big
part
of
providing
access
to
citizenship.
We've
had
large-scale
immigration
clinics
for
our
current
CPS
holders,
knowing
that
they
are
at
risk
of
losing
their
status
starting
January
2019.
We
are
an
active
member
of
the
welcoming
communities
transatlantic
exchange,
where
we
exchange
ideas
with
our
counterparts.
I
In
Germany,
we
hosted
Boston
hosted
the
first
ever
city's
taking
action
convening,
which
is
the
best
practices
convening
of
City
off
all
the
Moya
offices
across
the
country
to
come
together
and
strategize
on
how
we
were
going
to
work
together
to
to
support
our
immigrant
residents
and
and
also
defend
our
immigrant
residents
again.
What
was
coming
down
the
pipeline
from
the
administration,
our
immigration
information
corners
are
in
every
single
Boston,
Public,
Library,
plus
2
BC.
I
We
were
we're
critical
in
establishing
the
Greater
Boston
immigrant
Legal
Defense
Fund,
as
as
many
of
you
know,
the
civil
immigration
proceedings
are
civil
proceedings,
and
so
there
is
no
right
to
an
attorney
and
the
difference
between
having
an
attorney
and
not
have
attorney
is
is
astronomical.
It's
about
ten
times
you
have
10
times
more
chance
of
winning
your
case.
If
you
have
an
attorney
than
if
you
don't
so
having
an
immigrant
Legal
Defense
Fund
to
help
support
people
in
deportation,
proceedings
has
been
a
huge
part
of
what
we've
been
doing.
I
Are
we
are
Boston
gala,
which
raises
funds
for
we've
done
the
mini
grant
initiative
as
well
as
raises
funds
for
critical
needs
in
in
the
community,
like
English
English
for
new
Bostonians,
our
pro
bono
advice
clinics
we
also,
although
not
not,
immigrants
took
a
part
in
the
response
and
assistance
for
Puerto
Rican
evacuees
and
have
conducted
have
reached
about
a
thousand
people
through
our
knowing
your
rights
activities
and
workshops.
So
this
was
a
snapshot
in
terms
of
just
some
background.
Some
numbers
for
you
as
we
engage
in
this
conversation
on
who
would
be.
I
Who
would
be
impacted?
So
this
information
comes
from
the
US
Census
Bureau,
so
we
have
about
90,000
non-citizens
who
are
18
plus
of
those
43
percent
or
legal
permanent
residents
about
38,000
18,000
have
student
visas,
14,000
have
h-1b
visas
and
then,
and
then
21%
have
other
immigration
legal
status
or
no
status
at
all.
I
39%
of
the
East
Boston
population
of
all
ages
are
non-citizens.
Thirty,
four
percent
of
adult
Hispanics
and
forty
percent
of
adult
Asians
in
Boston
are
non-citizens
in
terms
of
non
the
historical
background
of
non
citizen.
Voting
between
1776
in
1926
40
states
allowed
nas
non-citizens
to
vote
in
elections
at
some
point
to
varying
degrees,
local
state,
even
federal
I
believe
you're.
I
All
residents
can
vote
in
school
board
elections,
regardless
of
citizenship
or
immigration
status,
and
when
we
recognize
that
there
are
a
lot
of
different
ways
to
promote
inclusivity
and
civic
participation
for
non-citizens
that
go
beyond
voting
when
things
that
we
said
we
supported.
The
city
include
the
same-day
voter
registration,
encouraging
voter
registration
and
every
naturalization
ceremony,
which
is
something
that
our
nonprofit
partners
are
very
good
at
expanding
early
voting
to
local
and
state
elections.
I
And
then,
in
April
of
this
year,
the
council
passed
and
the
mayor
signed
an
ordinance
to
provide
voter
registration
opportunities
during
route
routine
city
interactions.
Some
additional
best
practices
for
local
civic
inclusion
of
immigrant
residents
includes
things
that
we're
already
doing,
including
public
education
for
immigrants.
So
our
know
your
rights
and
immigration
101
workshops.
We
provide
technical
assistance
for
orientation,
workshops
for
foreign
trained
professionals,
in
collaboration
with
African,
bridge
Network
and
funding
that
we
provide
to
English
for
new
Bostonians
for
our
ESOL
for
parents
of
k-12.
Students
are
also
ways
that
we
engage.
I
We
gauge
immigrants
of
all
statuses
in
Nashville
Tennessee.
They
have
my
City
Academy,
which
connects
immigrants
to
local
government
agencies
and
functions
through
seven
seven
sessions
that
meet
monthly
Toronto
Canada
has
a
newcomer,
Leadership
Academy,
which
brings
together
leaders
from
39
entities,
the
government
community,
based
on
non
community
based
sector
hospitals
and
school
boards,
to
share
information
and
take
action
on
system-wide
issues
that
affect
newcomers
and
their
successful
settlement.
I
They
have
an
integration
plan
that
promotes
the
inclusion
of
newcomer
lands
and
development
and
implementation,
implementation
of
city
programs
and
policies,
leverages
city
resources
to
enhance
newcomer
access
to
information
and
city
services
and
support
greater
newcomer
participation
in
city
processes
in
Cupertino,
California,
there's
a
block
leader
program
and
that
was
developed
in
a
block
leader
program
that
builds
social
cohesion
among
residents
in
in
the
same
geographic
area.
Both
long-term
and
newly
arrived
in
San
Francisco
California
in
19
2010.
After
Asian
immigrants
who
had
settled
in
historically
black
neighborhoods
had
experienced
ins
assaults.
I
They
created
the
community
ambassadors
program
where
immigrant
and
african-american
neighborhood
residents
employed
by
city
were
employed
by
the
city
to
ease
tensions
by
modeling,
positive
cross-cultural
communication
and
collaboration,
and
another
thing
that
we
are
wrapping
up.
Our
visibility
study
for
the
municipal
ID
program,
which
is
the
councilor
mentioned,
and
the
feasibility
study,
will
include
five
deliverables,
a
demand
analysis,
a
program
designed
by
baseline
technical
security
and
privacy
standards,
implementation
plan
and
an
evaluation
plan,
and
the
triage
group
who
had
been
tasked
with
putting
this
together
will
will
be
able
to
deliver
all
of
those
shortly.
I
J
Briefly,
first
Thank
You,
chairman
clarity
and
comfort
president
Campbell,
and
to
all
the
distinguished
members
of
the
City
Council's.
It
give
me
gives
me
great
pleasure
to
be
here
today
because
being
the
leader
of
a
department
who
the
employees
were
all
dedicated
to
administer
and
democracy
and
ensuring
that
there's
access
to
voting.
It
gives
us
pleasure
to
be
a
part
of
these
conversations,
especially
one
like
this.
That
seems
to
have
attracted
so
much
attention
about
voting
so
I
agree.
J
It
comes
to
Campbell
that
I
hope
that
this
turns
into
into
more
people
who
are
actually
currently
eligible
participating.
As
councilor
Pressley
mentioned
earlier,
there
there's
room
for
growth.
There
lots
of
room
for
growth
in
terms
of
getting
eligible
voters
to
come
out,
and
actually
that's
really.
The
focus
of
the
election
Department
will
focus
on
operationalizing
the
policies
that
that
we're
tasked
to
to
administer
and-
and
that
is
so
currently
our
focus
is.
J
We've
already
begun
Network
to
work
with
the
the
Boston
Public
Schools
to
make
sure
that
registrations
are
part
of
there
are
welcome,
centers
their
voter
registration
as
a
part
of
the
Welcome
centers
that
the
Boston
Public
Libraries
are
also
incorporating
voter
registration
into
their
processes
and
same
goes
for
Transportation
Department
when
they're
interact
thing
with
folks
who
are
updating
applying
for
resident
parking
permits.
So
we're
very
happy
to
report
that
that
work
is
underway
and
we're
very
happy
about
that.
As
Alejandra
mentioned.
J
We
also
work
with
a
lot
of
the
nonprofit
groups
who
are
doing
registrations
at
naturalization
ceremonies,
and
we
also
work
with
a
lot
of
community
organizations.
Anyone
that
pretty
much
reaches
out
to
us
we're
either
gonna
support
them
directly
or
indirectly,
with
voter
registration
and
voter
access
efforts.
J
So
we
take
engagement
to
be
a
very
important
part
of
our
work
and
an
expanding
part
of
our
work,
as
relates
to
today's
I'm
hearing
very
much
looking
forward
to
hearing
the
rest
of
the
term
testimony,
particularly
as
Alejandro
mentioned
from
Takoma
Park
County
in
Maryland,
who
I
know
they
actually
have
non
citizen
voting.
So
we're
interested
to
hear
the
rest
of
this
testimony
and
we'll
leave
it
there
for
now.
Thank.
A
You
very
much
Christian
that
would
be
part
of
the
second
panel,
so
hopefully
we
will
stick
around
and
we
can
get
to
function.
Takoma
Park,
so
the
lead
sponsor
is
gonna,
defer
questions
my
colleagues
in
order
of
their
arrival.
If
they
have
any
questions
of
this
panel
before
we
go
to
her
questions
and
also
the
second
panel
and
public
testimony
counsel
Flynn
any
questions
at
this
time
of
this
panel
I.
C
Yeah,
thank
you.
Council.
Fire
I
just
want
to
encourage
the
election
Department
to
continue
to
reaching
out
to
returning
veterans
that
are
now
living
in
Boston,
ensuring
that
they
have
access
to
to
voting,
and
if
we
can
continue
doing
more
outreach
to
our
homeless
veterans,
giving
them
access
to
the
ballot
box
as
well
I
think
would
be
critical.
E
You
mr.
chair
I
want
to
thank
all
three
of
you
for
your
efforts
on
outreach.
Civic
engagement
I've
had
the
opportunity
to
work
with
all
of
you
on
various
aspects
of
this
and
I
just
want
to
say
a
Commissioner
Irish.
It's
great
to
hear
that
our
our
act
to
make
it
easier
to
access
voter
registration
is
moving
forward
in
implementation
and
to
hear
that
those
opportunities
are
being
presented
to
folks
and
seeing
the
the
set
up
for
voter
registration
out
in
City
Hall
plaza
as
people
come
here
is
just
you
know.
E
Another
important
aspect
of
that
outreach
and
I
want
to
echo
councillor
Flynn's
comments
that
he
has
regularly
brought
up
in
these
discussions
and
I
want
to
thank
him
for
that
about
making
sure
that
folks,
who
are
either
currently
serving
in
the
Armed
Forces
overseas,
but
who
are
Boston
residents
and
eligible
to
vote
are
able
to
participate.
E
It's
an
ongoing
issue,
I
think,
particularly
when
folks
are
away
for
some
time
and
come
back
and
may
find
themselves
on
the
inactive
voter
lists
because
they
didn't
receive
their
city
census
form
I,
don't
want
to
get
too
off-topic
here,
but
I
do
think.
It's
really
important
to
see
your
dedication.
The
Walsh
administration's
dedication
and
support
of
making
sure
that
eligible
citizens
are
registered
to
vote
and
able
to
participate
is
incredibly
encouraging.
So
I
want
to
continue
that
and
thank
you
all
for
your
work
in
this
area.
G
G
I
Yeah,
okay,
so
to
fair,
it's
hasn't
been
around
for
a
while.
Okay.
I
I
G
A
H
You
know
the
details
and
any
proposal
that
would
come
from
the
council.
Obviously
we
would
want
to
look
at
and
the
mayor
would
want
to
look
at
to
better
understand
it.
I
mean
I,
think
we're
so
focused
really
on
that
engagement
and
that
you
know
access
to
services
and
resources,
and
that
really
is
the
lane
that
that
we're
focused
in
but
generally,
we
would
want
to
see
any
proposal
and
would
consider
it
and
be
really
interested
in
learning
more
about
where
you
all
land
on
the
issue.
Well,.
G
G
D
Discuss
Ariana
press
all
right,
Thank
You
mr.
chair,
so
I
echo
the
sentiments
of
my
colleagues
and
thank
each
one
of
you
for
your
personal,
as
well
as
your
professional
dedication
and
commitment
on
these
issues
to
strengthen
our
democracy
and
to
be
more
inclusive.
Since
we
brought
up
veterans
I,
don't
want
to
go
too
off-topic,
but
since
we
do
have
the
platform
and
the
opportunity
I
just
wanted
to
better
educate
myself
in
thinking
about
another
population
of
returning
citizens,
and
that
is
formerly
incarcerated.
D
Individuals
as
much
as
you
know,
I
would
like
for
our
correctional
facilities
to
provide
on-site
voting
and
there
are
correctional
facilities
throughout
the
country
that
do
do
this.
One
of
the
ways
that
we
are
more
progressive
than
in
the
other
states
is
that
formerly
incarcerated
individuals
can
vote
here
once
they
are
reentering
into
society
and
I
was
just
wondering.
I
find
there's
a
lot
of
MIS
information
about
that
that
this
is
here
in
the
Commonwealth
that
formerly
incarcerated
individuals
can
cast
a
ballot
that
they
do
have
the
right
to
vote.
J
Yes,
so
all
right,
my
civic
engagement
coordinator
has
been
doing
work
with
our
office
of
returning
citizens
regarding
that,
so
they
are
getting
the
voter
registration
information
upon
return
and
I
also
wanted
to
just
mention
that,
in
terms
of
our
military
serving
overseas
and
overall,
our
Euro
kava
voters
as
of
tomorrow,
we
expect
that
we'll
be
able
to
start
begin
sending
off
ballots
for
the
September
4th
election.
Just
so,
it's
learn
to.
D
B
Keep
this
short
just
to
get
to
the
second
panel
and
if
you
guys
could
stay,
feel
free
to
stay
over
here.
But
if
you
have
to
one
of
you
have
to
leave
I
understand,
but
thank
you
for
your
testimony
and
thank
you
for
all
that.
You
guys
do
I
know
it's
not
easy
work,
particularly
the
increase
in
folks
coming
to
you
guys,
whether
it's
not
some
of
the
policies
in
DC,
but
even
some
of
the
weather
and
hurricanes
and
in
other
countries,
there's
obviously
putting
a
burden
on
the
city
and
your
offices
in
particular.
B
So
thank
you
for
the
work
you
do.
I
just
have
a
couple
of
questions
so,
but
it
was
mentioned
earlier
and
I
was
going
to
bring
this
up
participatory
budgeting
other
ways
that
are
direct
opportunities
for
folks
in
the
city
of
Boston,
to
weigh
in
on
a
policy
to
weigh
in
on
a
budget
discussion
or
something
else.
What
could
we
speak
to
what
the
direct
participation
looks
like
outside
of
participatory
budgeting
and
then
the
second
question
is
and
we'll
hear
from
folks
specifically
on
the
voting
piece,
but
before
there's
even
a
proposal.
B
Has
it
been
discussions
internally
or
externally
with
folks
in
the
community
about
this,
given
the
office
that
you
sit
in
I
already
know,
even
folks
who
couldn't
attend
today
because
of
the
hour
of
the
hearing
people
said:
we've
been
talking
about
this
for
a
while.
It's
it's!
It's
great
that
there's
finally,
a
conversation
on
it,
so
I'd
be
curious.
What
you
guys
are
hearing
when
folks
are
talking
about
this
in
terms
of
a
possibility.
I
In
terms
of
the
non
citizen
voting,
we're
we're
very
thankful
that
we're
having
this
hearing
and
starting
this
and
starting
this
conversation,
I
think.
One
thing
that
has
that
I
noted
before,
but
it's
particularly
true,
is
that
the
past
18
months
have
been
a
very
much
a
defensive
mode
operation,
and
so
we
appreciate
these
opportunities
to
be
proactive
and
to
to
think
about
how
we're
pushing
civic
engagement
forward
in
whatever
form
that
they
take
there
hasn't
been.
I
There
hasn't
been
a
whole
lot
of
discussion
that
I
that
I
know
of
I
know
that
there
are
people
here
who
are
going
to
testify
on
both
sides
and
I.
Think
that
I
think
one
thing
that
definitely
comes
to
the
forefront
is
just
how
anything
works
within
this
new
climate
that
we
live
in
with
the
federal
administer
and
just
being
very
cognizant
of
that
of
being
that
reality
in
terms
of
people
participating
in
the
budgetary
process
other
than
participatory
budgeting
I,
don't
know,
chief
Martinez.
If
you
want
to
take
that
one.
H
There's
a
you
know
as
strategy
through
our
neighborhood
services,
to
sort
of
do
that
work
and
again,
that's
regardless
of
immigration
status,
that's
regardless
of
neighborhood,
but
the
value
really
being.
How
do
you
reach
deep
into
the
community
to
sort
of
get
people
involved
in
those
processes?
So
I
think
that
that's
a
you
know:
how
do
we
engage
more
people?
H
As
always,
the
question
and
I
think
the
city
works
hard
to
do
that
specifically
I
think
we
could
to
better
understand,
and-
and
maybe
this
conversation
is
a
part
of
it-
are
there
ways
we
can
do
it
better
and
are
other
ways
we
can
reach
deeper
into
the
immigrant
community
to
ensure
that
they
have
a
voice
in
certain
processes
and
I'm.
Gonna.
Give
you
one
example
that
you
lead
the
change,
for
example,
that
I
mentioned
that's
run
through
the
Department
of
Youth
Employment
and
engagement.
H
They
actively
this
past
year,
worked
to
ensure
they
had
a
more
diverse
group
of
young
people
that
they
had
more
diverse
neighborhoods,
that
they
had
more
young
people
with
diverse
backgrounds,
and
they
did
that
really,
literally
with
shoe-leather
going
around
and
engaging
students
in
different
schools
and
in
different
neighborhoods
to
ensure
that
they
had
more
folks
involved,
whether
to
the
mayor's
Youth
Council
or
whether
was
actively
through
this
process.
So
it
has
to
be
deliberate
and
that's
part
of
what
they
did
in
this
work.
H
B
I
would
like
to
see
us.
Take
it
a
little
bit
further
in
talking
about
what
does
intentional
participation
look
like
where
it
has
some
value
in
some
weight
in
the
decision
we
make
in
this
chamber
and
in
this
building
and
I
think
when
people
are
talking
about
voting
or
and
or
something
else,
that's
what
they're
referring
to
and
I
think
we've
talked
earlier
about
folks
serving
in
the
military
and
that's
been
coming
up
quite
a
bit
in
particular
in
this
context,
because
of
what's
been
happening
of
late
and
I.
B
Think
that's
another
reason
why
we
should
give
this
serious
consideration.
If
we
ask
folks
to
go
and
serve
in
a
war
and
die
at
a
minimum,
we
should
be
asking
them
oh
asking
ourselves:
what
would
it
mean
for
them
to
participate
at
this
level?
We're
not
talking
about
and
I
want
to
make
this
clear
state
and
federal
elections
I
mean
someone
will
talk
about
that
the
risk
of
folks
doing
that
and
jeopardizing
their
applications
to
become
citizens.
B
We
don't
want
that
to
happen,
but
at
this
level,
where
they
live,
where
they
run
businesses
where
they
come
back
to
after
they
serve
in
the
military,
I
think
at
a
minimum.
We
should
be
thinking
a
little
bit
deeper
and
more
intentional
about
this
particular
proposal,
and
if
the
answer
is
no,
then
the
answer
is
no
I.
Think
people
also
deserve
to
know
that
too.
Okay.
A
A
Thank
you
that
will
conclude
panel.
One
you're
welcome
to
sort
of
hear
if
you
choose
or
send
a
representative
who
wants
to
stay
back
and
then
with
respect
to
the
second
panel
jeff
gross
policy
consultant
world
educational
services,
global
talent
bridge.
If
you
could
come
right
down
here
and
take
that
first
see,
Caroline
Gerard,
Caroline's
legislative
directive,
state
represented
byron,
rushing
we're
also
joined
by
phone
Jesse
carpenter.
Can
you
hear
us
Jesse
Jesse's?
A
The
is
the
clerk
at
the
the
clerk's
office
at
the
city
of
Takoma
Park
and
Maryland,
where
they
they
have
this
George
Pillsbury
of
nonprofit
vote.
If
George
can
make
his
way
down
as
well
as
Veronica,
sera,
sera,
chats
cerrado
I'm.
Sorry,
sir
Otto
Veronica
Serato
executive
director
of
project
citizenship.
So
you
be
kind
enough
to
take
these
four
seats
and
we
have
Jesse
carpenters
joining
us
by
phone
Jesse.
You
can
hear
us
clearly
correct.
K
A
B
A
L
I'd
be
happy
to
so
thanks
very
much
to
the
previous
panel
and
also
to
kind
of
the
president,
Campbell
and
and
councillor
Flaherty
for
sponsoring
this
meeting
I'm.
Just
a
few
words
about
my
own
background.
My
name
is
Jeff
gross.
Until
last
March
I
was
director
of
the
new
Americans
integration
Institute
at
the
mirror
coalition,
the
Massachusetts
immigrant
and
refugee
advocacy
coalition.
L
The
goal
of
that
institute,
which
I
led
for
four
years,
is
to
pursue
research
policy,
advocacy
and
program
partnerships
that
provoke,
promote
the
economic,
linguistic,
social
and
civic
integration
of
immigrants
and
refugees
in
the
u.s..
Also,
it
was
actually
a
particular
privilege
at
that
point,
as
a
as
a
native-born
white
American
to
be
working
in
that
role
and
work
with
so
many
immigrant
community
members
in
the
leaders.
As
part
of
that
efforts,
I
also
want
to
say
that
what
at
their
remarks
they
have
today
are
my
own.
L
L
So
what
I'm
going
to
talk
about
here
is
really
what
the
city
from
my
perspective
and
the
work
I've
done.
What
the
city
and
community-based
partners
can
do
to
foster
immigrant
civic
engagement
and
inclusion,
both
with
respect
to
non
citizen
voting
in
the
context
of
non
citizen
voting
and,
more
broadly
so,
by
what
I
mean
more
broadly
means,
not
only
the
issue
of
voting
but
having
immigrants
play
a
more
engaged,
knowledgeable
and
effective
role
in
shaping
the
institutions
that
affect
their
lives
and
really
all
of
our
lives
living
in
this
city.
L
This
includes
not
just
elections
for
local
government
but
more
mundane
and
day-to-day
forms.
The
Pacific
engagement,
participating
in
PTAs,
neighborhood
associations,
faith
communities,
chambers
of
commerce
unions,
local
planning
meetings,
we've
heard
about,
or
community
organizing
and
many
other
institutions
and
processes
that
make
up
the
Civic
space
and
that
lead
to
higher
levels
of
civic
engagement
over
all,
including
voting
so
I'm
briefly
going
to
try
to
frame,
what's
actually
a
fairly
wide,
ranging
issue
and
then
suggest
a
few
concrete
approaches.
L
The
city
and
community
partners
can
pursue
to
support
immigrant
civic
engagement
and
inclusion
in
this
larger
sense.
So
most
of
the
work
around
civic
integration
actually
focuses
on
economic,
social
and
linguistic
part
of
the
integration
equation.
Not
so
much
civic
engagement,
that's
not
surprising.
L
Maybe,
since
enhancing
civic
participation
is
in
many
ways
a
much
more
complex
issue,
and
it's
not
something,
there's
a
lot
of
public
funding
for
so
it's
really
the
programmatic
and
policy
solutions
that
get
the
intention
sort
of
what,
as
chief
Martinez,
was
actually
enumerated:
education,
workforce
and
economic
development,
social
services,
family
and
children,
access
housing,
legal
services.
That
sort
of
thing,
though,
it's
really
much
of
what
states
and
cities
like
Boston
and
communities.
L
Community-Based
groups
are
already
working
on
to
support
immigrant
inclusion
and
often
quite
well,
and
in
fact
doing
this
work
well,
is
really
critical
to
strengthening
stronger
immigrant
civic
participation
unless
people
have
some
personal
and
economic
stability
in
their
lives
and
have
some
comfort
with
the
systems
within
which
they
operate.
Civic
and
political
engagement
will
literally
be
something
they
can't
afford.
The
city,
along
with
many
immigrant
training
and
service
organizations,
including
Mira,
offer
citizenship
assistance,
something
that's
obviously
key
to
civic
participation
and
civic
power
on
the
most
basic
level.
L
This
is
not
just
in
terms
of
shaping
helping
shape,
employment
or
housing
policies,
but
on
a
very
personal
level,
the
people
that
immigrants
like
most
of
us
meet
and
work
with
in
civic
settings
become
part
of
the
networks
that
help
them
navigate.
Public
and
private
systems
get
better
jobs.
Fight
new
houses
find
good
schools
for
their
kids.
L
So
all
of
this
said
what
are
some
things
that
the
city,
either
alone
or
really,
if
my
point
of
view
working
with
community
partners,
can
do
to
strengthen
immigrants,
certificate
participation
at
these
and
other
levels,
how
can
we
help
make
sure
that
new
Bostonians
truly
feel
part
of
and
were
politically
and
civically
active
in
a
city
where
they
already
have
such
a
big
role?
A
lots
already
happening
as
we've
heard,
but
there's
more
to
do,
which
is
really
why
we're
here
and
here
are
just
four
of
many
possible
directions
that
I
wanted
to
propose.
L
First,
language
access-
and
we've
already
heard
a
lot
about
this-
probably
there's
nothing
more
urgent
in
creating
an
atmosphere
that
fosters
immigrant
civic
engagement,
then
quickly
and
comprehensively
implementing
policies
like
the
communication.
Access
ordinance,
which
the
council
supported
and
the
mayor
signed
into
law
in
2016,
this
policy
makes
sure
there
are
coordinated
and
accountable
language
access
services
in
all
city
departments,
overseen
by
a
language
access
coordinator,
I
was
very
glad
to
hear
from
missing
again
how
that
this
is
moving
into
its
second
phase.
L
Human
and
financial
resources
are
obviously
a
challenge
here,
but
there
are
models
from
other
locales
that
can
help
New
York
City,
for
example,
as
an
NYC
certified
program
that
tests
and
trains
bilingual
employees
in
providing
interpretation
and
translation,
montgomery
county
maryland,
prioritized
prioritizes
hiring
and
has
a
pay
differential
for
bilingual
employees.
So
such
policies
also
encourage
broadest
immigrant
civic
engagement
by
highlighting
the
value
that
immigrants
of
skills
the
skills
they
bring
with
them
can
serve
both
city
government
and
their
own
communities.
So
second
leadership.
L
Development
Boston
is
a
city
with
many
strong
and
effective
immigrant
leaders
from
city
government
to
community-based
groups
to
faith
organizations,
but
targeted
leadership.
Development
and
training
efforts
for
immigrant
community
members,
including
immigrant
youth,
are
needed
to
sustain
and
strengthen
that
leadership,
especially
in
a
tribe
of
change
and
many
challenges
for
the
community
I'm
in
Philadelphia,
for
example,
the
immigrant
Leadership
Institute
at
the
welcoming
center
for
new
Pennsylvanians
new
Pennsylvanians
teaches
participants
both
current
and
aspiring
community
leaders
about
grassroots
leadership,
mapping,
strengths
and
gaps,
understanding,
existing
policies,
building
networks
and
engaging
with
local
and
state
government.
L
At
an
earlier
historical
tipping
point
in
Boston,
the
immigrant
and
refugee
leadership
development
initiative
was
active
from
2000
to
2006.
The
initiative
had
the
support
of
the
hyams
Boston
and
State
Street
foundations
and
worked
with
both
existing
organizational
leaders
and
immigrant
constituencies.
It's
time
to
figure
out
how
to
renew
such
efforts.
So
third
integrate
a
civic
participation
component
into
know
your
rights
trainings
and
other
immigration.
L
Immigrant
education
initiatives,
the
city
as
we've
heard
community-based
groups,
faith
organizations
and
many
others
that
step
stepped
up
to
help
meet
the
growing
need
to
inform
immigrant
community
members
of
their
rights
in
case
of
interactions
with
law
enforcement
and
with
ice.
Knowing
your
rights
for
defensive
purposes
can
also
be
a
first
step
to
wielding
rights
and
opportunities
for
proactive
civil
engagement
and
civic
action
in
the
current
environment.
L
Fear
and
expectations
of
bias
are
among
the
biggest
barriers
to
immigrants
documented
and
undocumented,
in
participating
in
any
civic
activities,
whether
it's
going
to
a
PTA
meeting
or
entering
the
voting
booth.
Grassroots
groups
have
long
combined
training
and
support
for
immigrant
civic
empowerment,
with
training
on
immigrant
civil
rights
and
immigrant
integration
coalitions
and
locales
as
different
as
California
and
Idaho
are
showing
how
naturalization,
training
or
English
language
education
can
also
be
sites
for
robust
training
and
practice,
and
civic
engagement
from
get-out-the-vote
efforts
to
lobbying
legislators
forth.
L
And,
finally,
it's
important
to
build
civic
engagement
across
communities
and
accross
movements
in
this
very
diverse
City.
Immigrant
communities
are
not
the
only
ones
that
suffer
from
disenfranchisement
and
low
levels
of
civic
participation.
Many
common
issues
and
interests
align
immigrant
communities
and
communities
of
color
in
this
respect,
even
as
political
rhetoric
sometimes
divides
them.
The
issue
of
collectively
building
civic
engagement
across
communities
is
a
far
bigger
one
that
I
could
ever
begin
to
frame
here.
L
Can
community
leaders
worked
closely
with
legislators
and
other
interest
groups
to
craft
the
final
compromise?
There
is
a
model
here
with
looking
at
for
the
city,
its
community-based
partners
and
activists
in
all
effective
communities.
So
these,
as
I
said,
are
just
a
few
of
the
many
possible
directions
that
the
city
and
partners
can
work
on
to
support,
Boston's
immigrants
and
becoming
civically
engaged
residents
and
citizens,
and
by
that
I
want
to
stress
that
I
mean
the
word
citizens
in
its
original
sense,
which
is
simply
people
who
make
a
particular
City
their
home.
L
A
M
Thank
you
so
much
for
having
us
here
today.
My
name
is
Caroline
Gerrard
and
the
legislative
director
for
state
representative,
byron,
rushing.
He
has
filed
legislation
currently
H
388,
to
give
authorities
to
cities
and
towns
to
allow
legal
residents
to
vote
in
local
elections.
He
would
be
here
to
hear
himself
today,
but
the
house
is
currently
in
formal
session,
so
he's
a
few
blocks
away
voting,
but
thank
you
so
much
for
having
this
conversation
he's
very
appreciative
and
supportive
of
the
conversation
you're
having
today.
M
In
recent
years
the
legislature
has
received
Home
Rule
petitions
from
five
cities
or
towns
requesting
the
right
to
allow
legal,
permanent
residents
to
vote
in
local
elections.
Those
towns
are
Amherst,
Brookline,
Cambridge,
Newton
and
Wayland.
None
of
these
petitions
have
successfully
passed
the
legislature
representative.
Rushing
has
filed
his
legislation,
so
Home
Rule
petition
would
not
be
necessary.
M
Opponents
often
imply
that
this
legislation
is
unconstitutional.
However,
it
is
not
prohibited
by
either
the
federal
or
state
constitution.
In
fact,
until
the
1920s,
it
was
common
for
non-citizens
to
vote
I'm.
Sure
our
friend
who
we
have
on
the
phone
from
Maryland,
where
I
believe
nine
communities
currently
allow
for
non
citizen
voting,
will
be
able
to
speak
more
on
this
point.
M
Immigrant
families
constitute
a
large
portion
of
working
families
in
the
Commonwealth.
They
are
a
part
of
our
communities,
pay
local
property
taxes
and
send
their
children
to
local
schools.
Yet
without
voting
rights,
they
have
no
voice
and
local
public
policy
making.
While
our
office
will
concede
that
this
legislation
is
unlikely
to
pass
the
legislature
this
year
there,
as
there
are
only
three
remaining
weeks
in
the
legislative
session,
the
City
of
Boston,
endorsing
this
legislation
or
passing
their
own
Home
Rule
petition
would
help
build
momentum.
M
Boston
has
a
strong
legislative
delegation
and
sending
this
message
to
the
delegation
would
be
a
major
part
of
creating
widespread
support
in
the
legislature.
Opponents
of
this
legislation
use
a
common
tactic.
They
lump
legal
and
non-legal
immigration
together
and
link
crime
to
immigration.
I
believe
this
legislation
sends
an
important
message
that
we
see
immigrants
are
important
bedrocks
to
our
community
and
we
welcome
them
in
Massachusetts.
Thank
you
so
much
for
having
me
here
today.
M
A
K
To
give
you
a
sense
about
the
city,
Takoma
Park,
as
a
diverse
community
at
the
city
of
around
18,000,
just
outside
of
the
District
of
Columbia
in
Montgomery
County
Maryland.
We
have
elections
every
two
years
for
a
mayor,
who's,
elected
at-large
in
six
city,
council
members,
they're
elected
by
Ward's
all
serve
concurrent
two-year
terms
and
our
elections
are
nonpartisan.
K
The
County
Board
of
Elections
manages
school
board,
county
state
and
federal
elections.
We
administer
our
own
elections
for
mayor
and
city
council.
So
as
said
earlier,
the
City
Council
adopted
non
citizen
voting
in
1992
and
the
first
election
where
non-citizens
were
able
to
vote
with
93
a
present.
There
are
around
300
non
citizen
registered
voters
in
the
city,
but
our
total
voting
population
is
around
11,500.
So
it's
a
small,
relatively
very
small
number
non
citizens
who
wish
to
vote
in
city
elections
register
with
my
office
at
the
time
of
registration
or
when
they
first
vote.
K
They
provide
proof
of
identification
and
proof
of
residence
in
the
city
once
registered
the
voters.
Registration
is
maintained
as
long
as
the
voter
continues
to
reside
in
the
city
and
has
not
become
registered
with
the
state
as
a
US
citizen.
So
my
office
receives
the
voter
registration
forms
and
maintains
the
Supplemental
lists
of
Takoma
Park
early
voters
in
preparation
for
the
election.
K
The
supplemental
list
is
combined
with
the
list
of
voters
that
we
received
from
the
state
of
Maryland
when
voters
check
in
to
those
there's
no
apparent
difference
between
voters
who
are
US
citizens
and
voters
who
are
not
citizens,
and
we
work
very
hard
to
make
the
process
seamless
for
our
voters.
So
there
there
is
no
difference.
So
I
wanted
to
keep
my
remarks.
Brief
I'm
happy
to
answer
any
questions
that
you
might
have
sure.
A
K
So
they
they
show
identification
to
show
who
they
are
and
then
something
that
shows
that
they
are
residents
of
the
city
of
Takoma
Park.
So
so,
just
as
often
times
it's
I
was
licensed
for
a
state
of
Maryland
ID,
but
if
they
don't
have,
that
will
take
other
forms
of
identification
and
proof
of
residence
can
be
as
simple
as
if
there's
nothing
else
available,
a
utility
bill
received
and
within
the
last
three
months
at
an
address
with
their
name
on
it.
So
so
we
can
be
somewhat
flexible
in
terms
of
accepting
that
residence
identity
in.
A
K
B
K
The
cover
park
happened
to
be
an
area
where,
when,
in
the
eighties,
when
there
were
the
wars
in
Central
America,
many
many
Salvadorans
ended
up
in
this
part
of
Maryland
and
that
cover
parts
became
a
sanctuary
City
at
that
time
in
the
eighties
and
then
in
a
way,
grew
out
of
the
combination
of
certain
reforms.
The
subsidy
was
making,
but
also
attempt
to
be
more
inclusive
at
large
community.
So
it
was
controversial.
It
didn't
pass
unanimously.
K
Since
that
time,
I
would
want
to
say
it's
not
very
controversial
anymore
when's,
the
while
things
wear
out,
then
we
start
to
hear
from
people
who
are
really
upset
that
we
do
this,
but
generally
in
a
way,
we're
fortunate
that
we
started
this
so
long
ago.
I
think
that
it's
just
routine
drill,
yeah.
B
K
B
B
K
Confusion,
but
we
also
provide
information
to
let
folks
know
to
make
sure
that
they
know
that
they
could
have
it
first
immigration
consequences
if
they
were
to
vote
in
the
state,
it's
active
to
go
in
a
state
or
federal
election
and
I
have
to
say
in
all
these
years.
I
am
not
aware
that
ever
happening
or
anyone
by
accident
or
on
purpose
of
that
ever
happening.
K
B
And
then
just
one
more
question
and
I
hope
you
can
stick
around
because
we
also
have
more
folks
on
the
panel,
but
just
one
more
question.
So
one
of
the
things
that
people
have
been
saying
and
I'm
sure
you
had
to
respond
to
at
some
point
or
to
things
is
this
idea
of
diminishing
the
the
value
of
what
it
means
to
be
a
citizen?
So
I'm
curious.
If
you
had
to
address
that
and
and
what
folks
talked
about
during
this
conversation,
while
this
was
sort
of
happening.
B
And
lastly,
I'll
just
add-
and
maybe
you
can
address
this
to
another
concern-
is
that
obviously
someone
can
move
in
become
a
resident
in
21
days.
They
don't
really
have
an
attachment
to
the
community
and
then
I'm
just
referencing
some
concerns
that
came
to
to
me
as
a
council
and
I'm
sure
some
others.
They
don't
really
have
an
attachment.
They
haven't
been
there
for
a
long
period
of
time.
B
K
K
N
A
B
And
then,
just
following
up
on
the
21
day
piece,
it
was
the
question
really
came
out
of
this
idea
of
someone
say
coming
from
Canada
moving
into
Tacoma
voting
in
your
election
and
then
leaving
Tacoma
to
go
somewhere
else.
So
this
idea
of
influencing
your
election
by
not
really
being
committed
not
only
to
Tacoma
but
to
this
country.
B
D
D
K
We're
doing
paper
ballot
and
a
hand
count
in
Takoma
Park,
so
so
we
had
in
our
last
election
2500
voters.
So
it's
manageable
at
this
point
we
hope,
frankly
in
2020
we're
going
to
be
changing
to
even
near
election,
and
we
will
be
side
by
side
with
the
county
and
each
precinct
in
the
city
and
I.
Think
that
that
point,
the
head
count.
We
will
be
able
to
do
anymore
because
I
expect
will
double
or
triple
are
very
out
at
that
point
and.
K
D
Right
appreciate
your
candor
there.
My
final
question,
since
you
already
spoke
to
what
my
question
would
have
been
in
terms
of
jeopardizing
or
compromising
anyone's
application
or
pathway
to
citizenship
by
them
accidentally
participating
in
a
federal
election.
You
you
unpack
that
for
us
and
again
I
apologize
if
I
missed
it
in
your
presentation,
because
you
talk
about
what
protections
there
are
for
non-citizens
voting
to
ensure
that
information
is
not
being
shared.
D
K
K
D
K
D
K
K
G
K
K
A
N
Thank
you,
consul
30
and
councillor
Campbell
I'm
really
pleased
to
be
here
and
be
part
of
this
conversation,
I'm
Joyce,
Pillsbury,
again,
I'm
a
founder
of
mass
vote
and
it's
Nashville
partner,
nonprofit
vote.
Full
disclosure
here,
Kim
Janey
is
a
founding
board
member
of
mass
vote.
So
she's.
She
knows
more
a
lot
about
my
background.
N
We
provide
nonpartisan
voter
engagement,
training
and
resources
and
I'm
profits
and
community
groups
in
Boston.
In
all
50
states.
We
manage
National
Voter
Registration
day,
which
is
on
the
fourth
Tuesday
of
September,
and
we
do
that
in
coordination
with
secretary
States
across
the
country
and
local
election
offices.
N
You
know
we
don't
have
position
on
this
issue,
but
we
do
do
a
lot
of
policy
work.
Especially
policies
were
there
to
youth
and
new
voters.
Helping
them
vote
become
active,
participates
pivots
on
our
democracy,
get
all
the
way
from
voter
registration
to
voting
to
voting
methods
and
there's
certainly
a
lot
of
ideas
out
there.
This
one
resident
voting
is
really
attracting
a
lot
more
interest.
We're
seeing
that
sort
of
bubble
up
something
around
the
country
is
people
are
definitely
exploring.
N
You
know
without
duplicating
or
I,
want
to
add
a
couple
more
ideas
here
and
one
on
the
subject
of
you
know
what
how
this
proposal
might
compare
to
other
reforms
out
there
more
generally
and
then
some
strategies
to
consider
in
moving
a
policy
like
this
forward.
I
think
that's
really
important
too.
You
know
in
this
environment,
then
any
environment
to
be
careful
about
how
we
you
know
how
this
you
know
you
how
you,
how
you
educate
the
public
about
about
this
issue
now.
Will
we
analyze
election
reforms
through
three
lenses?
N
Is
the
policy
well
grounded
and
is
pop
popular
or
potentially
popular?
You
know
we're
not
interested
in
policies
that
don't
really
make
sense
from
day
one
well,
the
rationale
has
been
addressed
and
I
think
in
other
forms,
I'm
not
gonna
get
into
that
or
they
get
contested,
but
especially
there's
the
rationale
for
it
in
cities
that
have
non-resident
legal
legal,
non-resident.
Evoking
you
know
or
close
to
adopting
it
with
some
education
is
sure
it's
shown
to
gain
some.
Some
real
popular
support.
N
I
mean
I
want
to
reach
across
the
border
on
this
one,
because
you
know
the
City
of
Vancouver
just
passed
it
a
couple
months
ago
and
they
there's
some
polling
on
that.
Vancouver
certainly
is
not
Boston
in
this
pink
over
Canada.
You
know
another
country,
but
you
know
in
many
ways
it's
a
more
similar
to
Boston
than
a
lot
of
other
towns
and
cities
to
maybe
maybe
Takoma
Park
being
one
of
them
and
they're.
It's
you
know
polling
is,
you
know,
divide
it,
but
it's
57
percent
in
favor
of
non-resident
opinions.
N
Voting
so
I
think
it's
it's
gaining
popularity
there's
gained
popularity
wherever
it's,
whether
it
has
been
education
or
it's
been
implemented.
You
know
any
resident
or
community
engagement
is
really
a
core
element
and
strategy
for
healthy
neighborhoods.
So
it's
a
positive.
It's
a
plus
idea.
If
it,
if
it
can
work
and
the
Quad
SOS
connect,
questions
are
workable
and
tested.
Has
it
worked?
I
mean
a
lot
of
ideas.
Really
aren't
you
know
this?
N
You
know.
There's
some
ideas
that
haven't
been
tested
and
one
we
hear
all
the
time
is
well.
Why
don't
we
change
Tuesday
voting
to
the
weekends
and
there's
an
idea?
Well,
that's
been
tested
and
it
doesn't
really
work.
It's
turnout
is
no
different,
so
we
we
can
sort
of
say
we
don't
have
to
go
that
direction.
You
know,
I,
don't
want
to
disappoint
people
who
want
to
know
the
holiday
and
the
calendar,
but
you
know
holiday
too,
is
a
plus
or
minus
kind
of
thing.
N
So
we
don't
really
focus
on
that,
but
you
know
this
is
something
that
has
a
has
been
tested
and,
oh
by
the
way,
speaking
that
weekend,
I
just
want
to
throw
one
off-topic
thing,
just
speaking
of
an
idea
that
we're
testing
pretty
soon
and
that's
the
idea
of
having
your
election
three
days
after
all,
you
know
you
know
after
a
three-day
long
weekend.
No
that's
never
been
done
before
and
I
see
and
I
must
say,
good
luck,
Dion
in
managing
that
one
on
the
fourth,
so
I
think
that
I
think
resident
voting.
N
For
me,
you
know
from
Istanbul.
Elections
has
been
touched
at
around
the
world.
A
lot
of
models,
but
you
know
with
Goff-
is
he
closer
to
home
in
Maryland
to
Chicago
in
New,
York,
San,
Francisco's
doing
the
school
committee?
Many
others
are
trying
to
do
it
and
planning
to
do
it.
11
cities
in
Canada
are
working
at
it
right
now.
This
is
all
new
for
Canada
as
its
new
here,
so
they
hadn't
they
weren't
interested
in
ten
years
ago.
In
this
issue,
now
they
are
they're
looking
into
it
it's
controversial
and
they
are.
N
N
Well,
I
think
you
know
it's
really
hard
to
measure
this
you've
sorry
come
up
a
couple
times
and
it's
very
difficult
to
measure
from
election
to
election.
Depending
that
vote
fits
the
patient,
it
does
depend
on
contested.
Races
depends
on
lots
of
factors,
but
certainly
if
you
enfranchise
an
entirely
new
population,
you're
gonna
end
up
with
the
potential
for
more
people
to
vote,
so
I
think
it
passes
that
test,
and
certainly
it
passes
the
test
of
including
more
people
and
some
direct
representation.
N
You
know
it
also
has
a
lot
of
benefits,
for
you
know
for
the
people
that
do
it.
Voting
like
any
civic
activity
really
has
a
lot
of
tangible
benefits.
We
have
a
whole
section
on
the
website
of
nonprofit
vote.
I
don't
want
to
get
into
the
here.
You
can
go
there
and
look
at
the
all
the
different
benefits
of
voting.
It's
you
know.
Voting
is
correlated
with
enhanced
physical
mental
health.
N
O
N
They
leave
prison
I'm,
so
there
are
a
lot
of
benefits
and
but
I
want
to.
You
know,
get
into
the
question
of
you
know
it's
a
tough
day.
She
was
controversial.
So
how
do
you?
How
do
you
past
it?
How
do
you
even
move
this
forward?
A
new
idea
like
this
and
I
think
I
want
to
throw
a
my
two
cents
in
again
not
as
having
not
having
taken
an
official
position,
and
you
know
ideas
that
you
may
agree
with
or
not.
N
You
know
whether,
whether,
but
as
a
believer
and
the
idea
of
this
policy
having
a
good
conversation
having
you
know
being
able
to
be
talked
about
in
a
civil
way,
I
would
say
it's
a
couple.
Things
I
mean
first
of
all,
it's
just
first
of
all
really
to
review
as
you're
doing
carefully
the
models
that
are
out
there
in
the
criteria
that
they
use.
N
N
You
know
I,
don't
think
it
actually
helps
advance
the
issue
to
get
you
go
back
in
history
and
the
history
today
seems
like
yesterday-
or
maybe
you
know
you
know
last
year,
but
not
much
less
100
years
ago.
Now
it's
we
can
think
about
and
contemplate
our
history,
but
it's
really
have
to
like
any
reform.
N
You
know
the
right
to
vote
has
to
be
grounded
in
today's
reality
and
what
people
are
thinking
about
and
what
you
you
know:
young
people
and
citizens,
new
citizens,
not
citizens,
aspire
to
so
I
think
their
grounding
into
today
is
really
the
best
path.
Obviously
you
already
focused
on
municipality.
That
is
clearly
the
best
path
on
this
issue,
because
talking
about
the
state
in
federal
level
doesn't
really
make
sense
at
this
time
and
there's
a
lot
of
opposition
and
it's
a
different
situation.
There.
N
You
know
some
cities
have
tried
ballot
measures
and
it's
just
talking
about
tactics
and
just
down
the
road,
but
I
think
ballot
measures.
Happen
are
tricky
on
this
issue.
It's
it's.
It
is
it's
a
heated
issue.
There's
lot
of
the
issue
of
citizenship
is
contested.
A
lot
now
inside.
You
know,
I
think
you
know.
Maybe
you
have
to
have
a
ballot
measure
I
think
it's
an
issue
which
really
lends
itself
to
really
robust.
N
Really
it's
about
resident
voting
voting
of
you
know
of
legal
residents,
so
we're
not
I,
think
getting
into
non
citizen
terminology
or
even
the
you
know,
bland
or
branding
as
immigrant
voting
is.
You
know
if
you're
gonna
raise
too
many
questions,
they
can't
be
answered
quickly,
but
I
think
the
idea
of
residency
means
a
lot
to
people
and
it
means
a
lot
to
voting.
So
it's
a
group
and
you're
just
expanding
it
to
people
who
are
here
illegally
is
a
little
more,
a
little
more
feasible,
so
I
think
carefully
about.
N
You
know
how
is
talked
about
in
the
language
out
there
I
mean.
Obviously
people
will
define
it.
However,
they
want
so,
and
you
may
already
have
apparently
corny
to
your
emails.
Never
you've
heard
earlier
yeah
and
they're.
Finally,
there's
just
a
lot
of
other
options
for
people
to
besides.
Voting,
of
course,
is
just
to
be
engaged.
Boston
Lexx,
Department
I
know,
is
also
looking
for
translators,
I'm
sure
translator
is
the
one
thing,
a
role
that
anyone
can
play.
It's
just
because
you
can't
be
a
poll
worker
keys.
N
You
have
to
be
a
registered
voter
to
be
a
poll
worker,
but
you
can't
be
a
translator,
so
I
think
that's
and
we
need
those
in
our
cities
across
the
Commonwealth
we
I
was
down
at
a
workshop.
Finally,
in
a
one
of
our
state
partners,
someone's
there
talking
about
what
can
non-citizens
do
or
use
the
term
on
that,
and
this
one
one
gentleman
stood
up
and
said:
well,
III
I'm,
not
a
legal
citizen,
but
I
voted
five
times
in
the
last
election.
I
said
well,
how
did
you
do
that?
Sarah
bothered
you?
N
No
then
he
said
well,
you
know,
basically,
obviously
he
helped
five
people
to
vote.
He
went
out
and
really
talked
to
his
neighbors
talked
to
his
family
people,
who
were
citizens
and
encouraged
them
to
help
them
vote
now.
I
think
that's
a
huge
role
that
people
who
are
not
yet
citizens
can
play
in
this
democracy
and
is
being
involved.
Any
campaign
you've
talked
about
here
about
city
government
in
other
ways,
I
think
being
involved
in
politics
itself
is
just
a
good
experience
for
any
young
person.
N
So
you
know.
Obviously,
our
democracy
has
like
any
a
lot
of
room
to
improve,
but
what
are
the
things
course
here
at
this
interesting
having
this
conversation
here
in
Boston,
you
know
we're
the
city
had
back
in
the
seventeen
hundreds
that,
when
the
rest
of
the
world
was
monarchies
are
worse,
you
know
we,
we
were
having
the
conversation
about
democracy
in
the
aspiration.
So
it's
great
to
see
this
topic
being
talked
about
today
and
just
and
thank
you
good
councillor,
Campbell
and
others
for
bringing.
A
N
A
P
You
thank
you
Council,
Chair,
flirt
and
council
president
Campbell
project
citizenships
mission
is
to
overcome
barriers
and
eliminate
obstacles
on
the
path
to
citizenship
for
permanent
residents.
We
work
to
ensure
that
all
immigrants
understand
and
have
access
to
the
path
to
citizenship.
We
believe
strongly
in
the
inclusion
and
integration
of
all
immigrants.
However,
I
have
major
concerns
about
this
legislation.
The
administrative
and
logistical
hurdles
in
implementing
the
act
required
for
full
participation
by
non-citizens
so
as
not
to
jeopardize
their
future
eligibility
to
become
US
citizens
would
be
immense.
P
Permanent
residents
seeking
citizenship
after
holding
a
green
card
for
five
years
must
complete
the
application
for
naturalization,
which
specifically
asks
whether
the
applicant
has
ever
registered
to
vote
or
voted
in
any
federal
state
or
local
election
in
the
United
States.
A
yes
response
to
either
question
requires
a
written
explanation
with
the
burden
of
proof
falling
upon
the
applicant
to
prove
that
she
has
not
registered
to
vote
or
voted
illegally.
Failure
to
provide
this
evidence
could
result
in
the
denial
of
citizenship,
criminal
prosecution
and
deportation.
P
Ignorance
of
the
law
is
no
excuse.
Mistakes
are
not
forgiven.
There
is
no
room
for
error.
Anyone
who
is
wrongly
registered
to
vote
must
unregistered
to
vote
before
being
eligible
for
citizenship,
but
someone
who
has
wronged
we
voted
is
forever
barred
from
becoming
a
US
citizen.
Since
2014
we
have
assisted
over
4,400
immigrants
to
achieve
citizenship
in
Massachusetts
and
I've
personally
had
to
tell
to
immigrants
who
had
in
fact
voted
in
a
federal
election
that
they
were
forever
ineligible
to
become
US
citizens
registering
to
vote.
P
Excuse
me
registering
to
vote
now
requires
only
a
statement
that
one
is
a
u.s.
citizen.
There
is
no
confirmation
of
immigration
status
in
Massachusetts.
As
of
last
week,
the
United
States
Citizenship
and
Immigration
Services
USCIS
announced
that
it
would
begin
to
issue
a
notice
to
appear
a
document
commencing
removal
proceedings.
Deportation
where
there
is
any
evidence
of
fraud
or
criminal
activity
by
an
immigrant,
illegal
voting
or
making
a
false
claim
to
US
citizenship
would
constitute
such
fraud
or
misrepresentation.
P
The
act
is
currently
and
extends
only
to
immigrants
with
legal
status.
So
someone
will
have
to
make
that
determination
and
I
can
tell
you
as
an
attorney,
it's
sometimes
difficult
to
figure
out
what
someone's
immigration
status
is.
So
it's
not
an
easily
answered
question
in
short,
ensuring
that
no
non
citizen
ever
mistakenly
be
registered
to
vote
or
allowed
to
vote
as
a
US
citizen.
One
option
is
the
separate
municipal
election
presented
by
Miss
carpenter.
P
The
other
option
would
be
to
have
only
one
election
and
differentiate
the
ballot
of
non-citizens
from
US
citizens
by
making
non-citizens
stand
in
a
different
line
with
a
different
color
ballot.
Takoma
Park
is
an
excellent
example.
They've
allowed
non-citizens
to
vote
since
1991.
They
have
the
most
thorough
procedures
as
to
make
sure
that
non-citizens
don't
face
consequences
in
future
immigration
procedures
such
as
naturalization
Takoma
Park,
has
different
voter
registration
applications
for
u.s.
citizens
and
non-citizens.
It's
important
to
note,
as
you've
heard
the
Como
Park
has
a
nation
of
18,000.
P
Boston
has
a
population
of
600
and
73,000,
so
the
dimensions
and
enormity
of
the
task
are
huge.
The
Takoma
Park
application
indicates
that
there
is
no
need
to
be
a
US
citizen,
just
a
resident
of
Takoma
Park.
The
non
citizen
must
explain
why
he
is
just
registering
to
vote
in
Takoma
Park
photo
identification
and
proof
of
residence
is
required
to
register
as
you've
heard,
Takoma
Park
warns
non
citizens
of
the
consequences
of
voting
in
other
districts
and
provides
a
letter
of
explanation
to
those
who
are
undergoing
the
citizenship
process.
P
Second,
Takoma
Park
maintains
a
system
for
converting
voters
from
the
non
citizen
role
to
the
citizen
role
once
they
be,
they
have
become
citizens.
Third
Tacoma
has
a
voter
role:
registration
maintenance
process
to
ensure
the
quality
and
accuracy
of
voter
registration
rules.
They
D
register
non-citizens
voters
by
sending
mail
that
the
post
office
will
not
forward
and
then
D
registers
voters
based
upon
that
undeliverable
mail.
P
Finally,
the
city
clerk
regularly
it's
official
letters
on
behalf
of
immigrants
to
prevent
misunderstandings
with
federal
authorities
when
requested
by
the
immigrant
takoma
and
several
other
counties
in
Maryland
such
as
such
as
Hyattsville
and
Mount
Rainier
all
have
similar
procedures
that
would
be
very
difficult
to
implement
in
Boston
as
of
2017,
as
you
heard,
Tacoma
has
300
non-citizens,
including
undocumented,
and
documented
non
citizen
immigrants
of
11,000
voters.
It
should
be
18,000.
Actually,
Hyattsville
has
33
non-citizens
registered
33
Mount
Rainier
has
20
non-citizens
registered
to
vote.
P
The
Boston
area
alone
has
an
estimated
48,000
legal
permanent
residents.
Boston
would
be
the
largest
municipality
to
grant
non-citizens
the
ability
to
vote.
It
would
be
the
first
municipal.
Voter
registration
would
need
to
be
separate
and
different.
It
would
need
to
include
multilingual
notices
and
information,
clear
explanations
to
avoid
confusion
and
where
and
how
to
register
from
municipal.
This
municipal
election
also
needed
would
be
the
ability
to
track
those
who
move
from
one
town
to
another.
P
A
person
who
moves
from
East
Boston
to
Chelsea
or
Revere,
just
a
short
commute,
would
not
realize
that
she
is
no
longer
living
in
Boston
can
no
longer
vote
and
is
of
great
risk
and
with
serious
repercussions.
If
she
attempted
to
go
to
register
to
vote,
the
idea
of
being
inclusive
to
all
Boston
residents
is
laudable,
but,
in
my
opinion,
allowing
thousands
of
non-citizens
to
vote
does
not
Y
outweigh
the
risk
to
even
one
non
citizen
of
being
denied
citizenship
or
being
deported.
P
A
B
Thank
You
Veronica
Jesse
bye,
are
you
on
the
phone
by
chance,
so
I
think
obviously,
Veronica
is
bringing
up
legitimate
concerns
and
Boston
is
of
course
a
little
bit
different
in
that.
If
this
were
to
happen,
the
scale
of
it
would
expand
dramatically
compared
to
the
counties
that
are
currently
doing
this,
but
I'm
just
curious.
If
you
had
any
sort
of
thing
you
wanted
to
say
or
any
comment
based
on
specifics.
That
word
said
about
Takoma
Park.
B
When
looking
at
the
city
of
Boston
and
looking
at
this
idea
of
doing
it
here,
I
understand
that
the
challenges
with
trying
to
scale
something
like
this
in
the
City
of
Boston
I,
don't
like
to
think
that
anything
is
sort
of
impossible.
And
we,
of
course,
don't
want
to
jeopardize
someone's
ability
to
become
a
citizen
of
this
country
with
something
like
this
be
curious.
If
you've
had
conversations
with
people
in
your
network
who
are
excited
about
this
possibility,
but
explaining
some
of
the
risk
and
what
that
conversation
is
like
for
them.
P
A
Q
Q
B
N
N
P
B
P
Shouldn't
be
any
risk
around
school
committees,
because
that's
not
a
government
body
if
it's,
if
it's
around,
if
it's
a
school
district
and
you're
voting
about
something
at
a
school
as
opposed
to
electing
the
school
council.
So
it
depends
on
what
the
vote
is
for.
No,
they
concentrate
shine
as
long
as
it's
allowed.
It
wouldn't
be
illegal.
Only
elected
school.
B
You
know
if
those
communities
have
had
folks
I
mean.
Obviously
there
are
risks
there
as
well
of
folks
voting
and
jeopardizing
their
ability
to
become
citizens
or
their
application
process
have
they
and
these
other
municipalities,
which,
of
course
are
a
lot
larger
than
the
ones
in
Maryland.
How
have
they
responded?
I.
P
B
And
we
can
do
some
outreach
as
well.
I
think
those
are
obviously
more
comparable
in
terms
of
scale,
but
I
do
think.
The
conversation
is
definitely
worth
having
and
I
will
I
want
to
thank
everyone,
because
the
goal
was
to
have
various
perspectives,
talk
about
the
risk,
but
also
not
just
talking
about
the
voting
piece,
but
talk
about
other
other
things
that
we
could
be
doing,
that
we
aren't
necessarily
doing
or
that
we
did
at
one
point
in
the
past
and
stop
for
some
reason.
B
So
we
have
a
long
list
and
this
will
be
ongoing
in
terms
of
what
we
can
actually
check
off
the
box,
but
in
terms
of
voting
piece
I
think
it's
definitely
worth
continuing
the
conversation
but
I
appreciate
the
various
perspectives
that
were
presented
today
and
also
the
various
perspectives
that
we
receive
via
emails
and
calls
and
somewhere
I
mean
I,
don't
know
about
councillor
Janey,
all
the
responses
I
got
were
not
all
negative.
Frankly,
there
were
folks,
we've
been
pointed
to
other
countries.
B
B
A
Caroline
and
obviously
Veronica
as
well,
so
now
we're
moving
into
the
public
testimony
phase.
Anyone
wishing
to
offer
public
testimony
needs
to
sign
in
the
sign-in
sheet
and
we
have
two
podiums
to
my
left
and
right
so
Carl,
Becker,
David,
Kane,
I'm
gonna,
try,
Leena
Artie,
Kanaan
theory,
Donna,
Tony
Marino
looks
like
and
I
teyla
and
looks
like
lady
Quincy
me.
Oh
so
just
see
these
podiums
over
here
and
and
you
can,
we
can
do
all
today.
We
can
go
left
to
right
left
to
right
left
to
right
so
Carl
Becker.
Where
is
Carl
yeah.
A
A
Q
Thank
you.
My
name
is
Carl
Becker
I'm,
a
resident
of
Dorchester.
Thank
you
to
everyone
here
today
for
a
chance
to
talk
positively
and
constructively
about
increased
civic
engagement,
especially
among
immigrants.
Boston
is
where
the
fight
against
taxation,
without
representation
began
way
back
in
1773.
Q
However,
she
knew
this
when
she
signed
up
to
immigrate
to
the
US
she's,
not
angry,
like
the
Tea
Partiers
of
1773
were
she's
not
asking
for
this
voting
measure
to
change
or
anything
like
that,
but
she's
certainly
not
opposed
to
the
idea.
However
I
her
husband
and
a
US
citizen
born
and
raised
here
in
the
US
am
in
support
of
expanding
voting
to
people
who
are
permanent
residents
of
the
USA.
Q
It's
right
there
in
the
name
permanent
resident
they're
sticking
around
the
amount
of
legal
hoops
in
the
extensive
permanent
residency
process
to
jump
through
to
become
a
permanent
resident
means.
Only
people
who
are
truly
interested
in
becoming
invested
in
the
community
are
gonna
stick
around
with
it.
The
time
money
and
paperwork
are
non-trivial
and
I
should
know,
I've
been
part
of
that
firsthand,
but
more
important
than
the
paperwork
or
money
to
the
time
spent
living
in
the
community.
My
wife
and
I
called
Boston
home
after
years
of
saving.
Q
We
even
recently
were
able
to
buy
a
condo
we
care
about
the
community.
We
go
to
community
events,
we
shop
in
the
community,
we
go
to
flans
for
soccer
matches
and
trivia
nights,
we
have
our
favorite,
oyster,
joint
and
so
on.
We
read
the
local
news,
talk
with
co-workers,
friends
of
family
who
are
both
US
citizens
and
permanent
residents.
We
have
hopes
and
dreams
that
are
pretty
common
with
everyone
else
in
the
city
and
in
the
country,
liberty,
pursuit
of
happiness,
and
we
are
part
of
the
Boston
community.
Q
Someone
said
that
Americans
are
born
around
the
world
every
day.
Some
just
haven't
come
home,
yet
that
homecoming
can
take
a
long
time,
though,
to
becoming
a
US
citizen.
It
takes
many
years
if
the
US
government
has
allowed
someone
to
carry
a
card
that
says
permanent
resident.
Someone
who
works
pays
taxes
engages
in
their
community
just
like
their
US
citizen
neighbor.
Wouldn't
it
be
American
to
allow
that
permanent
resident
a
little
more
voice
in
their
community's
direction.
Q
A
R
R
R
If
people
don't
know
that
the
Congress
and
the
US
Supreme
Court
have
political
power,
then
they
won't.
If,
if
you
immigrants,
don't
realize
that
that
the
Congress
and
the
Supreme
Court
have
political
power,
they
won't
they'll.
Think
that
the
president
is
a
dictator.
They'll
have
they'll,
have
the
mistaken
impression
that
the
president
is
a
dictator
and
they
won't
care
who
the
president
nominates
to
fill
a
vacancy
on
the
Supreme
Court
and
they
won't
care
whether
the
Democrat
Party
can
/
can
become
a
majority
in
the
US
House
of
Representatives
after
the
November
election.
S
Everyone,
my
name,
is
Lena
darte
and
I'm
here
to
talk
about
why
I
would
like
to
vote
in
local
elections.
I've
been
here
for
about
10
years
and
like
most
legal
residents,
I
have
been
fighting
very
hard
to
become
an
American
citizen,
but
the
pathway
or
the
roadway
to
it
is
extremely
long
and
expensive
and
it's
kind
of
a
pain.
S
S
It
requires
compromise
and
I
think
that
the
ability
to
vote
even
at
the
most
local
elections
would
grant
me
the
ability
to
have
a
voice.
I
go
to
community
meetings,
I
chase,
my
friends
around
and
remind
them
to
sign
up
for
voting.
I
talk
to
random
people
on
the
street
about
gerrymandering,
but
that
doesn't
give
me
a
voice.
I
can
influence
people
to
vote
and
people
can
vote
for
whoever
they
want.
They
should
be
educated
voters,
but
I
don't
have
a
voice.
S
I
pay
taxes,
I
own
property
and
I
think
that,
at
the
end
of
the
day,
that
should
give
me
a
certain
level
of
ability
to
have
a
voice
and
help
dictate
what
direction
Boston
moves
in
in
the
future.
I
don't
plan
on
leaving
as
much
as
the
US
government
is
trying
to
throw
me
out.
I'm
gonna
stay
here
forever
and
I
think
that
it's
also
important
to
point
out
that
giving
me
the
ability
to
vote
is
not
going
to
dissuade
me
from
becoming
a
citizen.
I
want
to
become
a
citizen.
S
O
O
O
And
if
you,
if
people
are
given
the
opportunity
to
vote,
they
will
vote,
and
this
applies
particularly
for
to
immigrants,
because
it
is
appreciated
so
much
more
anyway.
But
in
terms
of
voting
what
I
see
some
of
my
fellow
citizens,
my
name
one,
my
own
neighbors
doing?
Is
you
really
have
to
vote?
Can
you
not
just
tag
your
counselor
on
Facebook
or
tweeted
them
and
hope
that
they
would
appear
and
fix
your
problem?
You
know
when
you
can
do
that.
Why
vote
it's
so
simple?
O
This
is
this
is
the
level
of
engagement
that
we
have
some
citizens
to
have
that
level
of
entitlement
and
expectation,
but
in
any
case,
taxation
without
representation
is
injustice.
That's
the
problem.
It's
not.
The
term
has
been
used,
so
often
it's
become
a
cliche,
but
people
aren't
understand
that
it
is
injustice,
immigrants,
pay
taxes,
legal
residents,
paid
taxes,
and
it's
enough,
if
you
have
a
tax
ID
for
you
to
pay
tax,
you
don't
even
have
to
have
a
social
security
number.
O
So
when
you
are
paying
for
your
life
and
and
your
being
here
and
you're
affected
by
all
the
decisions
made
by
the
government,
but
you
don't
have
a
say
in
it,
that
is
injustice,
and
we
just
should
not
stand
for
such
injustice.
I
think
so.
I
want
to
make
one
very
quick
point
about
why
this
lack
of
representation
leads
to
problems
that
people
many
people
may
not
realize
it's
simply
like.
O
If
you
had
two
children
and
if
you
told
one
child
you
could
come
to
me
if
you
have
a
problem
and
if
you
told
the
other
child,
you
can't
come
to
me
if
you
have
a
problem,
think
about
what
differential
you're
creating
between
the
two
and
one
of
them
cannot
complain.
So
this
is
the
situation.
People
are
in
you
you
are,
you
may
be.
O
Also
in
general,
I
think
that
we
as
a
country
may
be
languishing
in
status
quo
change,
is
so
difficult
by
getting
fresh
blood
fresh
pairs
of
eyes.
People
who
want
to
act,
people
who
want
to
vote
I
think
we
would
make
change
possible
and
make
it
possible
for
us
to
solve
problems
that
require
us
to
change
quickly.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you
can
Tony
Moreno.
Is
there
a
Tony
Moreno
here
you
know
tonight:
Taylor
Leedy,
Quinn,
Chino,
Moussa,
Masami,
where's,
Moussa,
Missoni,
I,
mu,
so
Hawaii
that's
convenient
for
you
feel
free
to
bring
that
down.
Yep.
If
you
just
introduce
yourself,
you
name
an
affiliation
for
the
record.
You
have
the
floor,
sir
right.
T
My
name
is
Musa.
Musa
can
y'all
hear
me.
Welcome
everybody
hears
me.
Okay,
my
name.
My
name
is
Musa
Mousawi.
My
affiliation
is
I'm,
just
a
permanent
resident
here
in
Boston,
so
I
was
born
in
Baghdad
Iraq
up
until
the
age
of
12
I
was
living
under
Saddam
Hussein
and
then
I
moved
to
Jordan,
where
I
was
a
resident.
I
only
say
that
to
point
out
the
fact
that
in
those
countries
I
couldn't
vote,
neither
could
my
family
and
if
they
could
vote,
they
probably
would
have
voted
for
ramps
in
my
school.
T
They
probably
could
have
voted
for
laboratories
that
I
had
access
to.
When
I
arrived
to
this
country,
I've
seen
those
ramps
and
I've
had
access
to
those
things.
Over
the
last
eight
years,
I've
seen
what
development
has
happened
in
Boston
I've,
seen,
structures
of
glass
and
buildings
and
steel
that
were
not
here
before
when
I
first
arrived
and
as
I
look
into
the
city
I'm
thinking
to
myself
well
over
the
last
over
the
last
80
years.
What
could
I
do?
T
I
still
can't
afford
to
live
in
this
city,
but
I
know
a
lot
of
people
in
their
communities
who
have
been
priced
out
of
their
communities
and
can
no
longer
can
no
longer
live
in
the
city
and
over
the
over
those
eight
years,
I've
had
a
finance
degree
from
the
University
of
Massachusetts
Boston
and
a
law
degree
from
Boston
College
so
to
address
earlier
points.
Conway
was
not
my
favorite
topic,
but
I'm
pretty
sure.
I
know
a
lot
about
a
lot
about
that.
T
So
to
point
out
to
talk
about
privilege
as
a
person
with
disability
who
made
it
out
of
Iraq
I
understand
the
idea
of
privilege.
I
understand
the
fact
that
I
made
it
out
of
a
place
and
I'm
privileged
to
make
it
out
so
I
understand
how
voting
could
be
a
privilege
and
I
understand
that
if
I
am
in
this
city
and
that
all
most
of
the
politics
that
dictates
how
I
live,
is
local,
so
I
know
that
I
will
trade,
my
vote
respectfully
and
so
will
others.
Thank
you.
A
Anyone
else
wishing
to
offer
public
testimony
may
do
so
now
or
forever
hold
your
peace.
Seeing
and
hearing
no
desire
for
additional
testimony
want
to
take
the
opportunity
to
thank
the
administration
folks
here,
Alejandro
and
Dion
for
sticking
around,
as
well
as
the
chief
who
I
know
he
just
stepped
out,
but
that's
important
that
we
give
everyone
the
other
panels,
as
well
as
the
members
of
the
public,
an
opportunity
to
have
your
ear.
As
you
take
this
message
back
to
to
his
honor
the
mayor.
A
B
You
councillor
Flaherty
and
thank
you
to
the
administration
and
the
panelists
who
had
to
run,
but
also
folks,
who
came
to
participate
and
also
offer
testimony,
particularly
those
who
may
not
have
permanent
residency
yet
or
citizenship
yet,
but
are
on
the
pathway
coming
forward
to
testify
in
a
public
space
is
not
always
easy.
So
thank
you.
Thank
you
to
my
colleagues
as
well.
B
I
want
to
just
say,
I
think
this
is
a
great
example
of
how
you
can
have
a
conversation
about
things
that
people
deemed
controversial
and
do
it
in
a
respectful
way,
even
if
they,
even
if,
at
the
end
of
the
day,
we
disagree
and
thank
you
to
my
team,
particularly
my
chief
of
staff,
who
put
a
lot
of
work
into
this
and
did
a
lot
of
outreach
to
set
this
up
and
Jesse.
Also
for
joining
us
conference,
call
and
carry
thank
you
for
setting
this
up
and
making
it
so
seamless,
Thank,
You,
counsel,
Florida,
Thank,.