ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — St. Charles County Council on Monday tabled a resolution on whether or not to support Latino immigrants coming to the St. Louis region.
Resolution 2308 comes after the International Institute announced its latest program called the Latino Outreach Initiative, an effort to build the area's workforce. It also follows the program's vice president recently visiting Chicago to learn how the city and St. Louis can work together, as Chicago faces a crisis.
The council had been set to vote on the resolution at its Monday meeting but decided to table it.
The St. Charles resolution is non-binding and more of a statement of the council members' stance.
However, the International Institute's CEO, Arrey Obenson said, they have concerns about this resolution and want to continue educating.
"We are seeing a decline in our population in the city and we're seeing significant gaps in our economy," Obenson shared. "That's the goal of our initiative is to bring people who are here in the United States legally and have the ability to work so we can reignite the workforce in the region."
Obenson said the goal is to work with President Biden's Humanitarian Parole Program.
It allows up to 30,000 people each month to legally enter the United States from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
These countries are selected for numerous reasons, as these countries are experiencing dangerous conditions, violence or severe economic hardship.
But not everyone is enthusiastic.
St. Charles County Councilman Joe Brazil representing District 2 said he's joined forces with three other county council members representing a resolution opposing the importation of immigrants entering the country illegally.
The other council members include Matt Swanson, Dave Hammond and Tim Baker.
"Our perspective is St. Louis and St. Louis County and St. Charles are the same region and whatever they do has an impact on us as well. We are concerned with the influx of folks and concerned about not following immigration laws," Brazil shared.
Brazil said he doesn't trust the Biden administration.
"If they are going to do this, why is it limited to four groups and the groups that it's limited to has cartels and stuff. I want to trust that this program is being vetted properly. It's a shock to the system when we're already low on the amount of police and law enforcement," Brazil added. "The law is the law and we are a country of law and order so once you lose that, you lose civilization. They are making these changes and stuff, it makes no sense to me."
Obenson said the council members did not reach out to the International Institute for questions.
"I think it is largely misunderstood and we were particularly concerned about this, especially as we didn't see this same similar reaction when Ukrainians were sponsored into the region," Obenson said.
Brazil said that they didn't get involved with the initiative involving Ukrainians because they finally received more knowledge on this program.
"But it’s pretty much the same thing, they are allowing immigrants, why aren’t they allowing the proper laws in place?" Brazil questioned.
Obenson worries about this pushback and plans to push their message forward.
"Whether the resolution is passed or not we want to ensure the way we speak of this community, that is one that is welcoming," he said.
Obenson said the International Institute planned to be at the meeting in the spirit of collaboration and provide clarity for any concerns.
Missouri State Senators Bill Eigel and Nick Schroer were also included in the resolution.
It said, "Missouri State Senators Bill Eigel and Nick Schroer will encourage state officials and local law enforcement agencies to abide by and enforce federal and state immigration laws."
Senator Schroer shared this statement with 5 On Your Side:
"I plan to introduce legislation this next session that will help provide tools to law enforcement within our state that may be faced with the historic increase in illegal immigration our state and nation are facing. This legislation will also zero in on violent and dangerous illegal immigrants that pose a risk to our citizens, like the many that were on the terror watch list. We cannot stand idly by any longer as the Biden administration sits on its hands addressing the millions of military aged men flooding into our nation illegally from countries that hate us."
In January, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and 19 other state attorneys general filed suit against the Biden Administration over the Department of Homeland Security program.