Late last month, State Representative Karen Alzate (D-Pawtucket, Central Falls) introduced the Protected Spaces Act in the Rhode Island Statehouse in an aim to clarify the bounds of “protected spaces” — areas in which federal immigration officials cannot investigate, arrest or detain undocumented immigrants without a warrant.
The legislation defines protected spaces to include Rhode Island’s healthcare facilities, places of worship, public libraries and schools.
The introduction follows the Trump administration’s newly enacted policies which have looked to target undocumented residents nationally.
The act aims to provide undocumented immigrants with safe spaces in which they can seek refuge, Alzate said in an interview with The Herald.
Alzate noted that, since Trump’s inauguration, she has seen more ICE patrol cars in her community, resulting in increased fear within immigrant communities.
“We have heard from community members who are not going to work,” Alzate said. “They’re not sending their kids to school. They’re missing appointments because they’re afraid.”
But not all policymakers agree with the intent of the bill.
“It is in the best interest of all Rhode Islanders to remove dangerous, criminal, illegal aliens who pose violent threats to public safety or national security from our communities,” State Senator Jessica de la Cruz (R-North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester) wrote in an email to The Herald.
“However, this does not mean ICE has carte blanche to enter schools, churches or other sensitive locations,” de la Cruz added, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “It simply means they should have the same access as every other law enforcement agency — no more, no less — since no other agency is subjected to such restrictions.”
But “not everybody who is undocumented is a criminal,” Alzate said.
Alzate feels that the Trump administration’s focus on undocumented immigrants is unfounded, given the administration’s decision to pardon those convicted on charges relating to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“Nobody wants to talk about the domestic terrorists from January 6,” she said. They “just want to focus on undocumented people and labeling them as criminals.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which is tasked with reviewing and revising it.
