02/20/2024
We have an amazing Mayor.
I generally don’t waste time responding to ridiculous garbage being circulated around town, but it has begun to distract from important progress we are making in Tulsa so it is time to make an exception.
It has become very clear that immigration will be a “wedge issue” in this year’s federal elections. This is an important debate, and in the midst of that national debate we in Tulsa continue working to make Tulsa the best city it can be for immigrants who leave their homeland to seek opportunity in our city. This has led people in some instances to assume the worst about what we’re doing, and in other instances to blatantly lie about it.
Example #1: The City of Tulsa was recently recognized as the first Welcoming City in Oklahoma for this work. This designation is a great honor and recognizes our community’s collective work to be a great city for immigrants.
False claim: “Tulsa is being recognized as a sanctuary city!”
Reality: No.
Here’s the stated definition of this recognition: “Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for cities and counties that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program assesses city and county governments on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities.” (https://welcomingamerica.org/initiatives/certified-welcoming/)
I would ask the folks freaking out about this designation to think about your own ancestors (here’s a great website to look them up: https://www.ancestry.com) and ask yourself what kind of city you would want them to have arrived in when they came to America. I would want my Irish ancestors to find a city where they had access to a good education, good jobs, and where they were welcomed into the life of the city. That’s what we’re trying to do in Tulsa, and why we were recognized with this honor.
Example #2: Tulsa International Airport recently broke ground on a new customs processing facility.
False claim: “Tulsa is building one of the largest illegal immigrant processing centers in America and they’re going to be held in a camp at 31st & Memorial!”
Reality: This is complete fiction. The new customs facility at the airport is being built so we can have direct flights to international destinations. Any airport that does this must have a U.S. Customs & Border Patrol processing facility for people and their luggage to go through. It is for airline patrons, not for processing illegal immigrants. If you’ve ever flown internationally, you’ve been through one of these.
“A groundbreaking is planned later this month for a new 45,000-square-foot Federal Inspection Services wing of the airport. Construction is slated to start in February, and the facility is expected to open in the fall of 2025, airport officials said. The airport currently has a small Customs facility located outside the main airport terminal for international cargo and private charter flights, airport officials said. But the new facility will allow for direct international commercial flights in and out of Tulsa International Airport for the first time.” (https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/business/first-direct-international-flights-coming-to-tulsa-new-customs-facility-planned/article_71bf726a-af11-11ee-8298-fb6b277920a0.html)
I have absolutely no idea where the 31st & Memorial site nonsense came from, but that claim is also a lie.
Example #3: People recently saw a large group walking down the highway in Tulsa.
False claim: “There are hundreds of migrants who were dropped off at the train station in Catoosa and are walking to Tulsa!”
Reality: This was an annual faith walk organized by a local church. As a church staff member said: “It makes us feel really great that we are sharing our faith and knowing that God is doing great things in our community especially in our Hispanic community, that we can give that great news to not just people that belong to this church but to many people that are outside of this church outside of the city of Tulsa.” (https://www.fox23.com/news/hundreds-take-part-in-religious-walk-from-claremore-to-east-tulsa/article_d9b80c34-bd84-11ee-96be-bb54da7f946b.html)
Example #4: The City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, and philanthropic donors recently announced the first business incubator in Oklahoma that will support immigrant entrepreneurs in East Tulsa.
False claim: “Mayor Bynum is declaring Tulsa a sanctuary city!”
Reality: What? I don’t even understand how someone gets to that from what we announced. We want Tulsa to be a city where entrepreneurs are supported as they start new businesses, and that is what this center will do. (https://www.newson6.com/story/65cd5a7b4e0bf90656650fa6/tulsa-to-open-oklahomas-first-business-incubator-for-immigrant-entrepreneurs)
Each of the false claims above got enough circulation that other elected officials reached out to see if it was true or not. I appreciate them having the thoughtfulness to check - something the people manufacturing this stuff either didn’t bother to do or knew but spread falsehoods anyway. I want those who care to know the facts to have access to them.
I am bothered by the jump that some folks continue to make in raising fears about illegal immigration whenever we talk about helping immigrants. The City of Tulsa complies with federal immigration laws, and as a city government that has strongly supported opportunity for lawful immigrants in Tulsa I do not want us doing anything that rewards those who cheat the system. We honor the sacrifices made by lawful immigrants who seek opportunity in Tulsa, and are doing so much to be a city that lives up to their hopes and aspirations.
Again, please ask yourself how you would want your immigrant ancestors (if you have them) to be treated before assuming the worst about similarly courageous people who are seeking the same opportunities that you have benefited from as an American.
And I hope the immigrants who call Tulsa home know how honored I am as the Mayor of Tulsa that you chose our city out of anywhere in the world as a beacon of freedom and opportunity. In spite of the examples of nonsense above, I have been so inspired over the last several years by the ways in which Tulsans from across our city and in all political parties have embraced our efforts to make this the best place for you and future generations of your family to realize the American Dream. 🇺🇸
