Democratic leaders and progressive members have remained silent on the White House’s plea for local police in sanctuary cities to increase cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In comments to Fox News Digital last week, the White House press secretary said the administration welcomes “the support and cooperation of local law enforcement in apprehending and removing individuals who pose a risk to national security and public safety.” Stated.
“When local governments have information about individuals who may pose a threat to public safety, we ask them to share that information with ICE,” the spokesperson continued.
This stance puts the White House out of step with many Democrats and immigrant rights advocates who support maintaining sanctuary policies that limit or completely prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. looks like.
White House calls on sanctuary cities to help fight ice amid uproar over illegal immigration crimes
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) (left) and President Biden (right). (Drew Angerer/Getty Images, Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
This statement can be seen as a change in direction from President Biden, who opposed local police cooperation with ICE while running for president.
In the early days of Biden’s presidency, the administration also cut millions of dollars in funding to sanctuary cities, while also implementing a Trump-era judicial system that rewarded local law enforcement for cooperating with federal authorities. The ministry’s subsidy policy was abolished.
Fox News Digital is the office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), Sen. John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), and Sen. Alex Padilla. We contacted them to gauge their support for the Democratic Party. The White House issued a statement but did not receive a response. Every state has large sanctuary cities. Fox News Digital also reported that members of the so-called “Squad”, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), and Rep. Cori Bush. ” We also contacted the members’ offices. We reached out to Missouri Democratic Party, Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., but did not receive a response.
President Joe Biden. (AP/Evan Vucci)
The White House’s stance comes amid several high-profile crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants, including the recently discovered case of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia. It comes at a time when the issue is becoming increasingly controversial. died last month, and Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, a Venezuelan national who had entered the country illegally, was arrested. Ybarra has since been charged with felony murder, false imprisonment and kidnapping in the case.
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The recent spike in crimes blamed on illegal immigrants has also caught the attention of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who last week questioned the city’s sanctuary policy and said it “undermines public safety.” insisted.
“We should be in touch with ICE, and if ICE makes a decision to deport us, we should do that,” Adams said at a news conference last week, according to the Associated Press. “The mere fact that you can’t share with ICE that this person committed three robberies, that this person is part of an organized gang, you can’t say that, you can’t communicate that, is the problem for me.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Adams’ office did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
This stance also appears to be a reversal from the mayor’s stance on the campaign trail, including an October 2021 post on X in which he vowed that New York City would “remain a sanctuary city” under his administration. Ta.
New York City Mayor Continues to Push for Sanctuary City Amendment to Allow Deportation of Violent Illegal Immigrants
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks to the media to outline security plans for Super Bowl Week at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on February 7, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, renewed pressure from the White House, Mayor Adams and others has prompted a backlash from immigrant rights groups, with the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) calling the New York mayor’s recent comments about the city’s sanctuary status “disgraceful.” It is called.
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According to USA Today, the NYCLU said in a statement that “Mayor Adams’ disgraceful threat to end New York’s longstanding status as a sanctuary city” and that the city’s policy changes “will only lead to cruel targeting and demonization.” ” he added. , and demoralizes immigrant neighbors. ”
