Village Adopts Resolution on Federal Immigration Policies

COOPERSTOWN—On Monday, August 25, the Village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees approved Resolution No. 4 of 2025, regarding the federal government’s policies on immigrant seizure, detention and deportation.

“I am very proud of the Village Board for unanimously approving our resolution on the federal government’s immigrant seizure, detention and deportation policies,” Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh said in an e-mail on Tuesday, September 16. “The Village of Cooperstown is committed to being a welcoming community for all and that commitment recognizes the fundamental right for everyone to receive due process and equal protection under the laws instituted by our nation and enshrined in our country’s Constitution.

Deputy Mayor Cynthia Falk echoed those sentiments.

“The Village Board of Trustees values diversity and promotes inclusivity for all the members of our community. This resolution recognizes that immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are important parts of the fabric of our village and that recent actions have had, and may continue to have, detrimental effects on community members whom we value,” Falk said.

The full text of the resolution is as follows:

Village of Cooperstown Resolution No. 4 OF 2025

RESOLUTION on the federal government’s immigrant seizure, detention, and deportation policies.

WHEREAS, there are immigrants seeking asylum in the United States who live and work in Otsego County and the Village of Cooperstown and are law-abiding members of their communities and valued employees; and

WHEREAS, among those immigrants are persons who have been subject to seizure, detention, and deportation by actions of the federal Department of Homeland Security; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Cooperstown is home to people of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and identities, from communities of diverse beliefs and cultures, including immigrants and nativeborn citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Cooperstown, as a tourist destination and home to a major medical facility, welcomes people from throughout our region, nation, and world; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Cooperstown supports comprehensive due process as well as humane treatment and strict adherence to constitutional legal procedures for all immigrant members of our community; and

WHEREAS, the seizure, detention, and impending deportation of law-abiding immigrants have adverse impacts on the economy, health, and welfare of residents of the Village of Cooperstown and its business community; and

WHEREAS, the seizure, detention, and impending deportation of law-abiding immigrants is contrary to the values of the rule of law and due process owed to all persons; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Cooperstown is a community committed to dignity, freedom, equality, and safety for all;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown:

(1) Condemns the seizure, detention, and impending deportation of law-abiding immigrants;

(2) Steadfastly confirms the Village of Cooperstown’s dedication to the rights and dignity of all people;

(3) Denounces in the strongest terms the increase of hate speech, intimidation, violence, and hate crimes targeted against immigrants, refugees, and people of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds;

(4) Recognizes that people of every background-irrespective of race, religious belief, national origin, and language-have made countless positive contributions to our community;

(5) Declares that the civil rights and civil liberties of all people living in the Village of Cooperstown should be protected and preserved;

(6) Reaffirms the inalienable right of everyone in the Village of Cooperstown to live without fear and intimidation; and

(7) Affirms that the Constitutions of the United States and State of New York fully support this Resolution.