“We’ll see what happens,” said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh during his appearance on MSNBC last night discussing the executive order calling to cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities.
Here is the link to the entire list of all the sanctuary cities in the United States.
Below we have statements from the Mayors of 25 sanctuary cities in the Cities for Action coalition. Also, here’s the statement released yesterday from Cities for Action on the President’s Executive Actions (the aggressive order against sanctuary cities):
“Today’s executive orders do not change who we are or how we govern our cities, and we will fight against attempts to undermine our values and the security of our cities. Representing cities and counties across the country, we are united in our commitment to remain inclusive cities, providing for the public safety of all. As mayors and county executives nationwide have made clear today, we will continue to provide for all in our communities—regardless of where they come from—and work to continue building trust between city residents and law enforcement.”
Atlanta, GA Mayor Kasim Reed
“Atlanta is proud to be a welcoming city. We are a community which has stood up for the civil and human rights of every person, and we will not waver now. Atlanta is the leading cultural and economic center of the Southeast precisely because of our legacy of inclusion. My administration is determined to use the full strength of that position to lead with policies that uphold and enhance the civil rights of all our residents, because any threat to our constitutionally guaranteed liberty is a threat to all Atlantans.
Our city stands together. We believe the President’s executive orders violate the principles of the U.S. Constitution. We believe these orders promote dangerous public policy, eroding trust between public safety agencies and the communities they serve, which will undermine public safety in the City of Atlanta and nationwide. We believe the courts will agree. As Mayor, I pledge that Atlanta city government will stand firm in its commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and will remain open and welcoming to all.”
Austin, TX Mayor Steve Adler
“Austin is one of the safest cities in the country partly because we listen to our police chief and our sheriff, and they tell us that the voluntary and warrantless ICE detainer program would make us less safe. Withholding money from cities that do not comply with this voluntary program asks cities how much money they’d take to sacrifice their safety, and our safety is not for sale.”
“Austin is one of the safest cities in the country partly because we listen to our police chief and our sheriff, and they tell us that the voluntary and warrantless ICE detainer program would make us less safe. Withholding money from cities that do not comply with this voluntary program asks cities how much money they’d take to sacrifice their safety, and our safety is not for sale.”
Birmingham, AL Mayor William A. Bell Sr.
“We are deeply disappointed in the actions of the President today. Our country is built on the backs of immigrants. The very fabric of our nation is predicated on the welcoming and empowering spirit of all Americans and the idea that coming to the United States meant working to build a life of opportunity. Our hope in Birmingham as the cradle of the civil rights movement is that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated today.”
Boston, MA Mayor Martin J. Walsh
“I am deeply disturbed by today’s news. We will not back down from our values that make us who we are as a city. We will fight for our residents, whether immigrant or not, and provide the best quality of life for all Bostonians. I will use all of my power within lawful means to protect all Boston residents — even if that means using City Hall itself as a last resort.”
Carborro, NC Mayor Lydia Lavelle
“Carrboro, North Carolina prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive community. We have many immigrant residents who contribute greatly to the spirit and fabric of our town. As town officials, we are committed to looking out for the safety of all of our residents, and we resolve to continue lawfully and compassionately doing so.”
Chicago, IL Mayor Rahm Emmanuel
“Chicago is going to stay a sanctuary city. There is no stranger among us. We welcome people — whether you’re from Poland or Pakistan, whether you’re from Ireland or India or Israel and whether you’re from Mexico or Moldavia where my grandfather came from. You are welcome in Chicago as you pursue the American dream.”
Denver, CO Mayor Michael B. Hancock
“Denver, and cities across the country, have continually looked to and asked for Washington to act on comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, that’s not what we saw today. Instead, communities and families will now be penalized for the Federal Government’s failure to act. The executive orders signed today put our economic security as a nation at risk, and I am deeply disappointed.”
Houston, TX Mayor Sylvester Turner
“I know there are a lot of families and children who are afraid and worried right now about what might happen to them. I want them to know that Houston is, and always has been, a welcoming city, where we value and appreciate diversity. HPD is not the Immigration Customs Enforcement. We don’t profile, and we are not going to start profiling people to determine whether they are here illegally. It hasn’t happened under previous mayors, and it will not happen under my administration.”
Jersey City, NJ Mayor Steven Fulop
“We intend to stand by our principles and values as a city. Jersey City was founded as a city of immigrants, and we are unwilling to be part of orders that break families apart or harm immigrants who are in this country.”
Knoxville, TN Mayor Madeline Rogero
“Like mayors across the country, I am concerned by both the tone and the potential impacts of recent executive orders on immigration. Our nation and our cities are built on the dedication and dreams of generations of immigrants and refugees from around the globe. We are enriched both economically and culturally by the hard work and diversity of our newly arrived residents.
As a nation, every time we have let fear of newcomers drive our politics and our policies, we have made terrible mistakes that have betrayed the spirit and the promise of our founding. We do not set national immigration policy at the city level, but we will work within the law to ensure that Knoxville remains a welcoming place for everyone.”
As a nation, every time we have let fear of newcomers drive our politics and our policies, we have made terrible mistakes that have betrayed the spirit and the promise of our founding. We do not set national immigration policy at the city level, but we will work within the law to ensure that Knoxville remains a welcoming place for everyone.”
Long Beach, CA Mayor Robert Garcia
“Long Beach is and will always remain a city that welcomes and supports all people. This country is a nation of immigrants, built by a love of country, family, and community. We are at our best when we treat each other with respect and kindness. We will stand up for all Americans – including hard working immigrants -because that’s what makes Long Beach, and America, great.”
Los Angeles, CA Mayor Eric Garcetti
“An open, welcoming, and compassionate spirit is not just an ideal that we try to live up to — it’s part of the American character. Those are our values in Los Angeles, and we intend to preserve them no matter what happens in Washington, D.C. The safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works in, and visits L.A. will always be our number-one priority. The idea that we do not cooperate with the federal government is simply at odds with the facts. We regularly cooperate with immigration authorities — particularly in cases that involve serious crimes — and always comply with constitutional detainer requests. What we don’t do is ask local police officers to enforce federal immigration laws — and that’s an official LAPD policy that has been enforced for nearly 40 years. That is for everyone’s good, because trust between police and the people they serve is absolutely essential to effective law enforcement.
Everyone in L.A. should feel safe stepping forward if they have witnessed a crime or been victimized themselves — and immigration status shouldn’t interfere with the cooperation and partnership we need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Madison, WI Mayor Paul Soglin
“The City of Madison will not waver in defending the rights of our people to protect the rights of everyone within our jurisdiction regardless of status. We will not use our local police department to enforce federal immigration laws. The trust between our police department and the people we serve is more important than our violating the constitution and improperly detaining individuals. If we should stop someone for a traffic violation or a misdemeanor, we have no right to compromise their freedom, to detain them, without a lawful court order. We will continue to operate as we have been which is consistent with our fundamental values as a city.”
New Haven, CT Mayor Toni N. Harp
“Throughout its history this nation has been a beacon to those who flee oppression and persecution – who seek freedom and opportunity instead; this rash act by a new President seems completely contrary to that ideal. New Haven, one of some 300 ‘sanctuary’ cities, counties, and states nationwide, will continue to embrace residents arriving from wherever they used to live, will work to make them feel welcome and safe, and will act to protect its ability to do so.”
New Orleans, LA Mayor Mitch Landreiu
“The City of New Orleans is a welcoming city, and we will continue to be a place whose racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity contribute to our growing economy, rich culture, resilience, and commitment to equity and inclusion. The NOPD is focused on arresting those who commit violent crimes, not enforcing civil immigration laws.
We will continue to do the work we are entrusted with by the people of New Orleans and remain focused on keeping our city and her citizens safe. This makes us safer because it increases trust between the community and law enforcement. Those who commit a crime will be arrested – political theatrics have no bearing on the serious work at hand. Lastly, the NOPD will not be coerced into joining Trump’s deportation army via the 287(g) program. Doing so would require the NOPD to pull officers focused on fighting crime off the street.”
New York City, NY Mayor Bill de Blasio
“The president’s executive order runs contrary to our values, but the stroke of a pen does not change the people of New York City. We are not going to deport law-abiding New Yorkers.
We will not tear families apart. We will not leave children without their parents.
We are not going to undermine the progress the NYPD has made over a quarter century. We believe we are on solid ground for a legal challenge to the executive order should the occasion arise.”
We will not tear families apart. We will not leave children without their parents.
We are not going to undermine the progress the NYPD has made over a quarter century. We believe we are on solid ground for a legal challenge to the executive order should the occasion arise.”
Philadelphia, PA Mayor Jim Kenney
“Philadelphia is at the lowest crime rate we’ve had in 40 years, in no small part because of all our police department has done to strengthen police-community relations. So all of this assertion that somehow sanctuary cities are dangerous places are simply untrue. Our immigrant population is not the source of crime. They are often the victims of crime or the witnesses to crime and driving them underground does not make the city safer – it only serves to destroy the community trust our police department has worked so hard to build. If the federal government obtains a warrant for an individual and asks us to hold them, we will comply. But to have somebody picked up for traffic violations and held for 72 hours against their will without a warrant or charges, to me, flies in the face of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. And punishing cities for trying to effectively police our own communities and for acting constitutionally is wrong.”
Phoenix, AZ Mayor Greg Stanton
“Today the president unleashed a divisive attack on Latinos in Phoenix and around the country.
The president’s executive orders will not make us safer, but instead will incite fear and chaos for Latinos and immigrants alike. But be assured: We will fight the federal government’s attempt to turn the Phoenix Police Department into a mass deportation force. Building a wall will only tear our economy down and damage relationships with Mexico that today support 100,000 Arizona jobs. Despite today’s unsettling news – and with the anticipation of more harmful policies to come from this Administration – Phoenix will remain a welcoming and diverse city that strives every day to treat residents with dignity and respect, no matter who you are, who you love or where you come from.”
Pittsburgh, PA Mayor William Peduto
“The residents of Pittsburgh stand tonight with cities all across our nation. Pittsburgh was built by immigrants, who came to our city to find work in our steel mills and who forged a better life for their families. Like my grandparents, they came to America for opportunity, and they built America. We stand on their shoulders, and we owe it to them to preserve opportunities for current and future generations. Just as our past was built by immigrants, so too will be our future. Let’s be clear: the President’s executive order will not make us safer. It will not advance the principles upon which our nation and our cities were founded.
It will further divide us as a city and as a nation. Pittsburgh joins tonight with other cities across the country and we stand ready to fight this unprecedented and this unconstitutional act. We will resist, with all powers at our disposal, any attempt to commandeer our local law enforcement officers into a national deportation army. Pittsburgh is, has been, and always will be a welcoming city and a diverse city. It’s in our nature. We are a tough city, a blue collar city and a city with a big heart. We will continue to show everyone the respect and compassion they deserve – regardless of who they are, where they’re from, who they love or how they found their way to our beloved city.”
Providence, RI Mayor Jorge Elorza
“Today’s executive orders do not change what we believe here in Providence. We were founded on the principles of freedom and tolerance, we have always been a city of immigrants coming together to build something amazing. We will continue to maintain our current policy and continue to stand with our residents, regardless of race, place of birth or religion. We will not allow fear and intimidation to change what we believe and we will stand today, tomorrow and throughout the next four years, with every resident of Providence.”
San Francisco, CA Mayor Edwin Lee
“Now is the time for our cities and residents to take care of one another and remain strong in light of the efforts to divide us. We cannot allow for threats and politics to foster mistrust between our neighbors. If what President Trump truly wants is a safer America, then we must continue to fight for and urge Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”
San Jose, CA Mayor Sam Liccardo
“Nothing about the President’s executive order will change how San Jose cops police our city. The San Jose Police Department’s longstanding policies relating to immigration enforcement are critical to keeping our community safe. Our police officers must focus their scarce time responding to and investigating violent, predatory and other high-priority crimes – not the enforcement of federal tax laws, federal securities laws, or federal immigration laws. There’s a broad consensus among major city police
chiefs that having local officers meddle in federal immigration enforcement undermines public safety, and diminishes community trust. We need to ensure that all residents feel comfortable calling 911, reporting crimes, coming forward as witnesses, and testifying in court to help us keep criminals off the street.”
Santa Fe, NM Mayor Javier M. Gonzales
“There is no executive order that will ever change the values of inclusivity that have helped our city thrive for more than 400 years, and today’s directive is no exception. We will not retreat from our policy, we are confident in our standing, and we are prepared to fight because we know that welcoming the remnants of a broken federal system is both morally and economically the right thing to do.”
Syracuse, NY Mayor Stephanie Miner
“The resources of the City of Syracuse, including the Syracuse Police Department, are not being used to enforce federal anti-immigrant policies nor are they empowered to do so. We do not intend to change this practice and will scrutinize any proposed changes at the federal level thoroughly. I pledge we will continue Syracuse’s commitment to our New American residents, building the trust and relationships our neighbors deserve and continue to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Syracuse is now and always will be a City that bids you welcome.”
West Hollywood, CA Mayor Lauren Meister
“In West Hollywood, we treat people — all people — with respect, dignity, and thoughtfulness. President Trump’s executive actions to target sanctuary cities are reprehensible. The West Hollywood City Council has reaffirmed its core values and we have declared that our city will remain a sanctuary city. We will not participate in efforts to deport immigrants living or working in the City.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, Bold and the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication, appears regularly as a guest on CGTN America, WGN CLTV News and KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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