Immigrant relief fund

Said he was absolutely opposed to both the immigrant relief fund and ranked choice voting, calling RCV a waste of time and money.

Supported a 2027 RCV referendum, and while backing the relief fund, questioned whether the SAMU overhead of roughly 30 percent was high by nonprofit standards.

Said roughly 30 local children are missing a parent taken by immigration enforcement and urged the council to make its inclusion values real with the $100K fund.

Ward 1 resident and mutual aid founder spoke in favor of the funding.

PGIRC volunteer described detentions near his home and families losing wage earners, urging the fund's passage.

Ward 1 resident said she was 'appalled' by lack-of-compassion arguments against the fund and told council she's watching the votes.

Described witnessing a violent federal arrest near Hamilton and Queens Chapel Road and said the fund is a necessary symbolic start.

Ward 5 researcher and daughter of Guatemalan immigrants described childhood fear of deportation and urged support for the fund.

CASA's health and human services director said 30% of Hyattsville is immigrant and described privacy protections available to administer the fund responsibly.

Quoted the city's 'diverse and welcoming' vision statement, praised CASA's COVID track record, and urged approval.

Supported the relief fund, warned the AI data tool could become another ERP-style money pit, and objected to Ward 5 discretionary funds going to one Riverfront HOA.

PGIRC lead described going from meals for five families to over 100 families weekly and shared stories of fathers detained in front of their children.

Ward 2 resident and PGIRC volunteer voiced support and endorsed CASA as administrator.

Shared how her nanny's husband was detained and deported, forcing the family to leave Hyattsville; said $15K raised privately should be the city's job at $100K scale.

Ward 2 resident and Ramona's Pizza Garden co-founder said her business raised $14K for PGIRC and hopes the city will do the same.

Ward 5 resident said the community must stand up for its most vulnerable members.

Cited Matthew 25's call to care for the least fortunate and urged a yes vote.

Spoke briefly in favor of spending city money to help immigrants get food.

Ward 5 resident argued $100K is a rounding error next to the police budget and said the vote tests the city's conscience.

Ward 2 Indivisible co-leader described neighbors pulling kids from school out of fear and said the fund is both a lifeline and a statement.

Sole opponent: said the city should help displaced federal workers too, that funds should go to a neutral administrator rather than CASA, and questioned staffing cuts.

Opposed the immigrant relief fund, suggesting long-time residents deserve support instead, and warned that property taxes have grown far faster than inflation — he said his taxes now equal 160% of his original mortgage payment.

Opposed ranked choice voting and criticized a proposed $100,000 fund for immigrant resident relief, arguing CASA should not be the pass-through and questioning budget math amid proposed cuts.

Supported the $100K immigrant relief fund, sharing her own experience of losing a job to federal cuts, and pressed for clearer mapping of PAYGO funds and caution about general fund drawdowns and lease-financing debt.

Asked the council to create an emergency community support fund in the upcoming budget, urging a larger allocation than the $100,000 on the table.

Supported the relief fund, asking that money be accessible within days, applications be simple, and data be protected; noted mutual aid groups are supporting 42 Hyattsville families.

Supported the relief fund and asked for 'Know Your Rights' cards in multiple languages like neighboring cities provide.

Spoke in favor of the fund and asked that families with children be prioritized.

Spoke in favor of emergency support, describing income loss and fear affecting Latino families and urging the city to act where county and state have not.