A question about sanctuary city policy sparked a crowd reaction at a mayoral candidate forum on Feb. 3, with one candidate breaking from her opponents to voice support for the designation.
During the forum hosted by The Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Rancho Observer, mayoral candidate Alexandria Piland was the only contender who did not oppose making Rio Rancho a sanctuary city, a policy that would prevent local authorities from reporting undocumented immigrants to federal immigration officials for possible deportation.
“No offense to the RR Chamber, but that was a question set up to divide mayoral candidates, and it did,” Piland told The 528 via email on Monday. “If you remember, it was a question that was asked in a yes or no format. There was no time for explication, nor was it granted due to the audience. I was very happy to stand up for my values and would do so again, no matter how poorly the question was presented.”
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Schalow told The 528 Monday that the questions were not designed to divide candidates, saying “we asked what voters asked us to ask.”
“Every question presented at the forum was submitted directly by Rio Rancho residents both online and in person. The most frequent concerns were water, roads, development, transparency and sanctuary city policy,” Schalow said. “Because the sanctuary city issue had recently surfaced locally, and Albuquerque’s policy has been widely discussed. Every candidate received the same questions, under the same format, with equal time. In a structured forum with time limits, concise formats are necessary to ensure fairness and cover the issues that matter most.”
All other mayoral candidates stated their opposition to sanctuary city status during the “blitz questions” segment, where candidates were asked to provide brief answers on topics including impact fees, speed cameras and immigration policy.
Piland’s position drew immediate applause from some audience members, but the reaction turned contentious during her closing statement when she referenced her stance on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“I don’t want citizens being murdered in our streets. I don’t want them being shot in the face or shot 10 times,” Piland said, prompting audible boos from portions of the crowd before Schalow intervened, telling the audience to “bring it down.”
“I think our city is better than that,” Piland said.
In her closing remarks, Piland said that her campaign focused on “leadership” and “service to the community” rather than partisan politics, describing it as “about top to bottom” rather than “left and right.”
“This position isn’t about power. It’s about dignity and fairness and a city that works for all of us,” she said, encouraging residents to reach out with questions, “especially about my response to ICE.”
How could Rio Rancho become a sanctuary city?
According to city officials, Rio Rancho has never adopted sanctuary city policies. Any formal sanctuary city designation would require approval by at least four members of the seven-member Governing Body, which consists of the mayor and six city councilors representing distinct geographic districts.
“I grew up thinking that the United States was a melting pot; different people, cultures, art and food make a community stronger and more interesting. I see that in our city, and I want to work to support those in Rio Rancho who are here and contributing to the community,” Piland told The 528. “Having said all of that, do I think the Mayor of Rio Rancho can turn Rio Rancho into a sanctuary city? No. I know that she cannot, but that was not the question that was asked and answered.”
While Piland acknowledged the mayor’s role in adopting policies for it, She doubled down on her support for sanctuary city status.
“I am for sanctuary cities. I believe that the Christian principles of welcoming strangers and doing unto others are the bedrock on which sanctuary cities, and even civil societies, are based,” Piland said. “I see what ICE/CBP are doing in other communities, and I do not want them here. I meant it when I said that I do not want to see our community members dragged from their houses and shot.”
I am definitely voting for her. Time for the conservative leadership in this town to start moving to the center. Also a vote for Piland is a vote against the developer “company” town politics that only push for more houses regardless of sustainability.
It’s refreshing to see Liberals/Progressives outspoken among us! We are not all of one mind or background. That is the miracle of the USA in my humble opinion. My grandparents, and my husband’s, were all immigrants. Diversity is what makes America great!
Remember this: WWJD?
I am opposed to RioRancho becomung a sanctuary city. If you want avoid having adversarial relationship with ICE , work with them.
You can not work with them. They think they have complete immunity. I do not want them here.
Rio Rancho needs police force to assist all other Law Enforcement agencies local state or Federal, enforcing laws is and always has been an American way of life, giving sanctuary to criminals is not the way to keep our community safe, We need a Mayor that has leadership skills not one who is bending to her parties continuing message for failure.
ICE is not a Law Enforcement agency within any meaningful interpretation of constitutional, federal or state law. It is a rogue federal institution funded and manipulated by President Trump and his allies to retaliate against perceived adversaries. We should not cooperate in any way, shape, manner or form with rogue elements hell bent on a terrorist policy fueled by promises of immunity and pardons that has encouraged murder and at the same time blocks state and local investigations of murders committed by rogue federal officers. We can protect citizens Rio Rancho only if we all work together on a bipartisan approach that is not sullied by any one individual’s lust for autocratic power.
Ow ask her for details on why she feels this way. Ms. Piland literally said ask me about this so I can expound in detail. Whether you are for or against sanctuary cities she deserves to speak without time limits on the issue.
I trust immigrants a lot more than brown-shirted masked terrorists. If choosing a sanctuary status is what is needed to keep our City safe, I am definitely all for it. Thanks to Alexandria Piland for being the only mayoral candidate that has the vision we need for our city.
Are we not a sanctuary state or is this by city?
You want ABQ BS move there…. You grey haired white libs need to bounce.