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17 YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS The GUIDE to YELLOW SPRINGS 2019 – 20 a l s o I n - S t o r e H u m i d o r READY MIX CONCRETE RETAINING WALL BLOCK STOVES & FIREPLACES PAVERS STONE BRICK BRYCE HILL INC. www.brycehill.com 937-325-0651 2301 Sheridan Ave.,Springfield,OH 45505 M–F: 7:30-5 • Sat: 8–Noon Available by appointment 937-319-1011 www.edenworld.net 105 W. North College St. Kim Plinovich, LMT Massage: $40/30 mins, $80/60 mins, $120/90 mins Reiki: $25/20 mins, $35/30 mins, $50/40 mins, $70/60 mins LaStone Therapy: $105/75 mins, $125/90 mins Hot Stone Reflex: $75/60 mins Foot Reflexology: $55/45 mins VILLAGERS SPEAK OUT ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ‘The border is here’ PHOTO BY CAROL SIMMONS Villagers Migiwa Orimo, left, and Jill Becker, held a sign made by Orimo in Dayton at a vigil held in Dayton's Courthouse Square in July 2019, seeking the closure of immigrant detention camps in the U.S. By YS NEWS STAFF I n the last few years, Yellow Springs residents have begun to speak out against new federal actions aimed at limiting legal immigration and cracking down on undocumented immigrants living here. Villagers participated in demonstrations opposing a policy to separate immigrant fami- lies at the U.S.-Mexico border and criticized efforts to cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Noting the increased immigration enforcement taking place in Ohio, they became more engaged on sanctuary and relief efforts in the region. “The border is here,” said villager Pat Dewees of the recent uptick in deportations in the state. In August, the issue hit even closer to home when a local resident was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after being taken to Greene County Jail following a traffic stop in town. Villagers quickly mobilized to support the family, raise money for a possible bond pay- ment, educate the community on immigra- tion rights and explore what else the Village and local police department could do to pro- tect vulnerable community members. Increase in activity noted The increasing ICE activity in Ohio began when President Trump, soon after taking office in 2017, announced his “zero toler - ance” stance on “illegal” immigration, making the issue a priority for his administration, the News learned. While previous presidents had focused on deporting only undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions, the Trump administration declared that all immigrants without proper documentation, even those who have lived productive and law-abiding lives in this country for decades, were at risk of deportation. “We saw almost immediately here in Ohio a change in the prioritization to people with no criminal record,” said Dayton Attorney Kath - leen Kersh, who currently has several clients who are fighting deportation efforts from ICE. Council takes sanctuary stance In response to concerns that immigrants were being unfairly targeted, Village Council strengthened its public statement as a “Wel- coming Community” with the passing of a new resolution at its regular meeting on Dec. 3, 2018. In new language, the measure prohibits dis- crimination based upon federal immigration status and stated the Village supports efforts to “welcome and offer sanctuary to immi - grants and others who are being targeted on the basis of religion, nationality, culture, gender identify, race or citizenship status.” The new resolution, which updates one from 2017, does not go so far as to say that the Village is a “Sanctuary City,” however. That’s because there was concern that such a statement may draw unwanted attention to those seeking safety here, Council members said. These policies also instruct local police not to question people about their immigration status and to refuse to hold people for ICE to pick up based on their status. Mauritanian deportations raise alarm Far from the U.S.–Mexican border, an immigration crisis in our own backyard has progressed unseen by many Ohioans, as black Mauritanians who came to the U.S. seeking asylum are being detained by ICE and deported to an uncertain future in the land of their birth. Many black Mauritanian nationals came to the U.S. in response to civil war, ethnic cleansing and other human rights abuses, including enslavement. More recently, in 2011, the Arab-minority government denat- uralized black Mauritanians. Advocates assert that returning the asylum seekers to Mauritania, in northwestern Africa, is sending them to likely imprison- ment, torture and even death. It’s unconscionable, says villager Pat Dewees and other local residents who are working to raise awareness of the Mauritanians’ plight and to stop their deportation. Continued on page 18