Denver's city council is moving to restrict the enforcement of immigration law by federal agents within city limits, but say their efforts won't trigger President Trump's threat to defund such "sanctuary cities." (Image Source: YouTube screenshot.)
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The city council of Denver, Colorado, voted to place restrictions on federal enforcement of immigration law within their city without triggering the defunding punishment by the Trump administration.
On Wednesday the council pressed for a measure that would restrict deputies from complying with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer hold requests on illegal aliens and ban ICE from interviewing arrestees in their jails.
It would also keep the police from informing ICE about arrested illegal aliens about to be released from custody, and restrict police from asking anyone about immigration status.
Despite these restrictions, proponents of the measure say they would not be designated as a "sanctuary city," and thus not be subject to the threat of federal defunding from the Trump administration.
"There is a lot of fear out there from folks in our immigrant community, their neighbors. There is just a fear and hesitation to call the police," said City Councilman Lopez.
"We don't feel this ordinance puts us at any crosshairs for losing federal funds," he added.
Councilman Kevin Flynn opposed the measure, saying, "We are not making any changes that will provide the safety and security I've heard people ask for in the community."
Shutting down "sanctuary cities" was one of the central promises of the Trump campaign in 2016, and Attorney General Sessions has made many warnings about the measures the administration will take to fulfill that promise.
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