Asheville stands for safety, dignity, and the rule of law.
The Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commissioners issued a joint letter that makes our values clear: our local government and police exist to serve and protect everyone who lives here, not to act as an arm of ICE. We do not ask people about their immigration status, and we do not, and will not, participate in civil immigration enforcement.
When federal immigration raids and intimidation tactics come into communities, they don’t make us safer; they make people afraid to call 911, report crimes, or seek help. That is not public safety. That is chaos.
The reckless, dangerous, fear-driven approach to immigration enforcement pushed by Washington puts everyone at risk and undermines the work local leaders do every day to keep their communities safe. If federal leaders were serious about public safety, they would work with cities, not against them, and stop spreading fear, misinformation, and division.
Asheville will continue to stand with our neighbors, uphold due process, and protect the trust between our community and local government. We will not let federal overreach and political theater put our residents in danger.
Safety comes from trust.
Safety comes from standing together.
Safety comes from community.
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