Seymour leaders hear resident concerns over city’s undocumented population

SEYMOUR, In. (WAVE) - Seymour, Indiana has seen significant growth since the turn of the century; turn no further to the city’s downtown trick-or-treat.

A packed parade full of kids in costumes turned into a packed council chamber Monday night. Mayor Matthew Nicholson was not present. He canceled Monday’s official preceding Thursday, the day after the Indiana Attorney General announced it would be investigating if Seymour is acting as a sanctuary city.

“I don’t have all of the answers,” Seymour Common Councilmember Drew Storey said. “But to hear your questions gives me the opportunity to start asking questions that we can get to answers.”

Councilman Storey led an unofficial community forum in the wake of last week’s announcement and the mayor canceling Monday’s meeting. He and two other councilmen showed.

Several people brought up concerns over accidents caused by people driving who have never had a license before. The city will also need to produce data on anyone whose been caught without a license as part of the attorney general’s inquiry.

“I’m not okay with us being a sanctuary city. I am not. But I can’t tell you that we are,” Storey said. “I don’t know that we have the policies that are put into place that support a sanctuary city, but Seymour doesn’t want that.”

It’s an issue State Representative and Seymour native Jim Lucas says has exploded in recent years.

“The growth that we’ve seen and experienced in just the past few years is exceeding our ability to deal with it, as we’re seeing through other communities throughout the state,” Rep. Lucas said.

Census data shows that in the last 20 years, the Hispanic population in Seymour rose from 4.8% to roughly 13%, and the overall population grew by about 3,000 people.

Officials in Seymour have until Nov. 8 to comply with the investigative demand.

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