Immigrant rights advocates tout new Hawaii landmark laws aimed to ease ICE enforcement impacts
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Human rights advocates in Hawaii are celebrating the passage of what they call the nation’s strongest immigrant justice laws.
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It comes amid growing concern over deaths during ICE raids on the continent and the local economic impact of enforcement.
The Campaign for Immigrant Justice coalition says the rise in ICE raids across the islands not only create fear, but hurt businesses and tax limited resources. New laws now in effect aim to offset the impact.
“For the Kona coffee farmers, they rely so much on, you know, migrant workers coming here, during the season to help, but just because of this chilling effect that we’re seeing across the country, many are deciding not to come to Hawaii and, that impacts our local economy, that impacts our farmers,” said Sergio Alcubilla, community engagement director for the ACLU of Hawaii.
One in five Hawaii residents were born outside of the United States — a population that contributes at least $18 billion to the state’s GDP each year, including wages, spending power and tax revenue.
Critics of new federal enforcement argue ICE’s chilling effect puts the economy at risk.
“People didn’t wanna send their kids to school. People didn’t wanna go get, medical care because they were just afraid that in the hospital they will be taken to courts,” said Ana Flores, a legal policy fellow at nonprofit The Legal Clinic.
“Even people with green cards are worried to drive… if you pass a yellow light you can be stopped and taken.”
In response, state lawmakers passed six landmark laws, including a measure barring local police from cooperating with federal ICE agents, and another that protects community spaces like schools, hospitals, and churches.
Other laws prevent detention and deportation of human trafficking survivors and nonviolent misdemeanors — strengthen due process — and expand language access.
When asked about potential retaliation from federal officials such as funding cuts, advocates say they’re willing to take the chance.
“It seems to me they retaliate whether or not we do anything. And so we have to just stand up for what we think is important,” said long-time civil rights activist Amy Agbayani, chair of The Legal Clinic.
Some argue a lack of ICE enforcement allows criminals to escape punishment, but The Legal Clinic notes 70% of people held in federal detention have no criminal record.
“This narrative that you’re saying that most people say we’re going for the worst of the worst, not true, and, it’s impacting families of hardworking families,” Flores said.
Advocates say they’re now focused on education and implementation of the new laws. A statewide immigration inclusion conference is being planned for September 30th.
This Tuesday, July 28, at noon, there will be a bill signing ceremony with Governor Josh Green, and a memorial in the State Capitol Rotunda for those who lost their lives in ICE-related detention and enforcement.
Watch the full interviews about the cost of immigration on HNN’s show “Covering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos” this Wednesday, July 29, at 12:30 p.m.
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