Smiley reacts to online backlash against city council ‘Know Your Rights’ mailer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is weighing in on the city council’s decision to send “Know Your Rights” mailers to every household in Providence, which received online backlash.

The mailers inform residents what to do when encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, telling them not to open the door, what to look for in a warrant and a reminder that local police should not be helping ICE agents.

Mayor Smiley said there wasn’t a specific incident that prompted the council’s decision.

Mayor Smiley stated:

There’s obviously widespread fear and concern in the immigrant community. There have been ICE actions in this city and we had been participating in a variety of meetings, community meetings, church meetings along the same vein of knowing what to do in the event of an ice action in your community and so the council took it upon themselves to do this mailing.

Mayor Smiley says the council used some of its discretionary funds to pay for the mailing.