The arrival of migrants to the United States has been a large part of the country’s history.
However, it is not a secret that some states are friendlier to immigrants than others.
For this reason, the city of Framingham is working on a project that seeks to be more inclusive with the Latino community.
The Welcoming project is an ordinance presented in the first discussion before the municipal council to make the town more welcoming and attractive to new members.
According to Councilman John Stefanini, many of Framingham’s residents are Central American, Puerto Rican and Brazilian and have lived in the city longer than a large percentage of its nonimmigrant population.
State Representative Priscilla Souza was one of the people who developed the initial proposal that seeks to ensure that resources in the city are offered in multiple languages and accessible.
Several lawmakers discussed whether to call Framingham a sanctuary city, a term that was left out of the bill so as not to create confusion in police decisions.
“If they put it well and if not, we all know that in this city 9 out of 10 people we see walking on the road, 9 of us are immigrants, the name of sanctuary, does not do, take away or add anything… we already are.” said community leader Jose Ferreira.
After the project is approved, it would go to a second reading by the city council on June 27.
