Over 36 states and scores of counties and cities are targeted
New York, NY—Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a memo listing 36 states with counties and cities that have sanctuary policies. Among that list were 12 cities and 15 counties in New York State. The memo warned that each jurisdiction would receive a notice of non-compliance and be required to review and revise its policies to align with federal immigration law.
This action by DHS and the Trump administration is clearly designed to intimidate local and state leaders. Sanctuary policies are already in compliance with federal law. Immigration policies may be changed by Congress or the President, but those immigration laws do not change the Constitution nor the rights that states, counties, and cities have to enact their own laws. Last week, the Department of Justice attempted to sue four cities in neighboring New Jersey— Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, and Hoboken — over their sanctuary policies. All four cities released statements asserting that they were already in compliance with the law.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“This memo marks yet one more attempt by the Trump administration to coerce states and counties to surrender their Constitutional rights to enact the policies they see fit to protect their residents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not have the authority to dictate local and state law. While this weaponization of the DHS presents a new low for our democracy, we call on New York cities and counties targeted in this memo to stand up to the intimidation and also plainly state the facts: our jurisdictions are in full compliance with the law; cities with sanctuary policies have lower crime rates, and no changes are needed or wanted. We must stand together to affirm the values and integrity of the U.S. Constitution and each state and locality’s rights to pass policies that best promote the safety of all their residents.”