To the Worthington City Council,

I am writing this today (Feb. 2, 2026) on behalf of myself and many members of the Worthington community to express our deep concern and frustration regarding your recent policy passed on federal immigration law enforcement and the impact it is having on our city.

Worthington is a diverse, hardworking community built largely by immigrant families. Our neighbors are workers, parents, business owners, students and essential contributors to the economy of our city. The increased presence and enforcement actions connected to this federal policy have created widespread fear, uncertainty and trauma among our immigrant families and mixed-status households.

We understand that federal activity is carried at a different level than city level, but you are our representation and leadership on our safety as one. You have once again minimized our contributions to this town by not standing up for our community. Your policy is weak and does not show an effort on your behalf to ensure the safety and dignity of the citizens.

No open discussion was made with the community so we could voice our fears, frustrations, or ideas. Who do you represent then? Is it only the ones that bring the big contributions to your big city projects or to the ones that this conveniently does not affect? Or is it that you are more afraid of losing federal funding than the trust of your community members?

You reap the benefits of every taxpayer pouring into the local economy but can’t give a little back now when we need it. This was not the move if your purpose was to create trust, safety and dignity of your local residents. This moment called for leadership, transparency and compassion, none of which were demonstrated by either of you that day when you “snuck” a policy into your agenda with little to no public awareness to the matter.

We have many surrounding cities that hold a blueprint to what could have been done to assure that you are standing up for the people who live, work and contribute to Worthington every day and you failed us.

Jeanette Aguilar
Worthington