The election of President Trump has spawned a proliferation of sanctuary cities around the country as jurisdictions prepare for an expected increase in undocumented immigrant deportations. In 2017 alone, more than three dozen jurisdictions around the country are categorized as sanctuary cities– areas where local law enforcement will not aid federal immigration agents– taking the total number across the country to nearly 500.
The Ohio Jobs & Justice Political Action Committee, according to a Washington Times report, forecasts the number will continue to grow as “jurisdictions rush to try to shield” undocumented immigrants with an expected fresh push for deportations under President Trump.
The Ohio Jobs & Justice (OJJ) Political Action Committee has added more than three dozen new cities and counties to its list in 2017 alone, as jurisdictions rush to try to shield illegal immigrants from what they expect to be a new push for deportations under Mr. Trump.
Discussions of resolutions adopting sanctuary city status are growing, and citizens groups around the country are active in encouraging city councils to pass these resolutions, says Steve Salvi, OJJ founder.
“More will be coming,” he said.
The president has issued an executive order for the elimination of federal funds earmarked for designated sanctuary cities. However, in a 2012 ruling on federal Medicaid funding, the Supreme Court has already ruled that the federal government cannot commandeer state officials or use federal funds as a means of coercing states into enforcing Washington-based policies.
While the push around sanctuary cities is no doubt gathering steam, The Washington Times report also points out four cities have dropped sanctuary status– two jurisdictions in Alaska as well as the city of Dayton in Ohio. In January, the mayor of Miami announced county jails in the Florida region would begin cooperating with federal officials around deportation. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez made the announcement the day after President Trump issued his federal funding ban.
Undoubtedly, the dynamics around immigration and its implications for the nation will remain a central a central issue as President Trump and his team move forward with policies to reduce the number of undocumented people residing in the country. Similarly, immigration advocates are prepared to continue fighting for those who find themselves in the president’s crosshairs.
