CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One week after a rowdy and fiery city council meeting, Mayor Vi Lyles has released a letter that she hopes will ease fear in Charlotte's immigrant community.
Lyles was slammed last week for not calling out recent ICE arrests in the area. Monday, she responded through a letter to the community, but she said words are not enough.
"We know of the economic loss experienced by the business community and the trauma of children concerned about the welfare of their parents," Lyles said.
>> Watch the video above as Channel 9's government reporter Joe Bruno breaks down the letter and the city council's efforts to ease the community's fears.
Lyles said she hopes the letter shows she's taking a stronger stance on immigration concerns in Charlotte.
In the letter, the mayor said, “the city of Charlotte is a safe and inclusive city where all residents are given the opportunity to thrive, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, national origin or creed.”
She also said the city of Charlotte, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, is not involved with ICE operations.
Several residents had strong words about Lyles’ lack of action during recent ICE arrests.
Republican City Council member Ed Driggs said he thought the letter was an appropriate response to the issue, despite it being largely out of the city's control.
“The mayor had to come back with some sort of reaction to what she was getting,” Driggs told Channel 9. “It is not confrontational with the federal government which would have been a key concern of mine.”
Lyles has appointed a new immigration committee and hopes it will present solutions within 45 days.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Ardrey Kell player suspended, accused of using racial slur ahead of playoff game
- Man charged in slaying of Charlotte cellphone repair store owner back in NC
- ‘He punched me so hard’: Woman recounts attack outside South End CVS
- FORECAST: Temps plunge across Carolinas as big blast of cold air moves in
- $1.5B jackpot winner reflects on 'act of kindness' before buying winning ticket
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/INIPJDENXRDZJDZJH25FT7D76U.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SNIY2Q6TBJEL7MXONCB7XKGJ4E.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/TZFNRJK3UZCNDLRYME4GGG22UA.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/TZXO4QLA7ZDEVNMPB3MVVI7ZJY.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SWNKG6TR5ZDIFJHRE3MIO7Y6QE.jpeg)