City council may join opposition to family separation

The San Marcos City Council will consider adding its voice to the chorus of groups and individuals opposed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s family separation policies. 

At a special meeting scheduled for 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, the council will consider approving a resolution in support of the reversal of the federal agency’s policy of separating children from their parents at the border. According to the council’s agenda, on June 11, during the 86th Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors summit, the Criminal and Social Justice Committee proposed a resolution called “Reverse the Department of Homeland Security’s Family Separation Policies.” The resolution was adopted as proposed, and San Marcos Mayor John Thomaides, who called Wednesday’s meeting, was there to provide support for the resolution. 

Thomaides called the San Marcos City Council’s special meeting at the request of council member Ed Mihalkanin. Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Prewitt is also sponsoring the resolution. 

The meeting will take place in council chambers at City Hall, 630 E. Hopkins St. 

Grassroots immigrant rights group Mano Amiga had scheduled a rally at the Hays County Courthouse downtown for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; the rally is now scheduled to start at 5:45 to allow time for the council vote.