New York, NY—Today, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to identify cities and states with “sanctuary jurisdictions.” Cities and states identified on the list could face cuts in federal funding and possible criminal and civil suits for democratically enacted laws that promote public safety.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“President Trump’s latest executive order targeting sanctuary cities is designed to punish local governments for upholding their own public safety policies and refusing to collude with his mass deportation agenda. We have already seen retaliatory action in Rochester, which has been sued by the Trump administration, and in NYC, where the federal government illegally revoked tens of millions of dollars in FEMA funds. When immigrant New Yorkers are afraid to report crimes, send their kids to school, or seek critical services because they fear deportation, everyone in our communities is less safe. This executive order is nothing more than an intimidation tactic designed to undermine the ability of local governments to enact the policies they believe best safeguard their communities, while strong-arming localities into becoming complicit with Trump’s attacks on immigrants. New York must reject this threat to its constitutional right to pass local laws that serve our communities best. New York must continue to uphold its ability to protect its workforce by passing the New York for All Act to ensure that no New Yorker has to live in fear when seeking help or opportunity.”