Topics in the News: Sanctuary Cities
Bernie Sanders on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Mar 15, 2020)
End ICE raids; they terrify kids of immigrants
Q: Vice President Biden, you opposed sanctuary cities as a Presidential candidate in 2007, where do you stand now? Should undocumented immigrants arrested by local police be turned over to immigration officials?Joe Biden: No.
Q: Senator Sanders?
Bernie Sanders: Of course not. When you have that process, [there's] psychological terror, and I've talked to these kids, kids are scared to death in America when they come home from school that their mom or dad may not be there, may be deported.
What we need to do is to end, and I will end this on day one, the ICE raids that have been so harmful to so many people. I'm the son of an immigrant.
This is a country significantly built by immigrant labor, built by slave labor and what we have got to do is appreciate each other and end this demonization and the divisiveness this coming from the Trump administration.
Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues.
Source: 11th Democratic primary debate (Biden-Sanders one-on-one)
Bill de Blasio on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration May 18, 2019)
Supports sanctuary cities; would abolish ICE
He supports sanctuary city policies and has vowed to fight the Trump administration's plans to strip them of federal funding.
He has opposed ICE crackdowns, before calling for the agency to be abolished. He has even unveiled his plans to provide health care coverage for illegal immigrants.
Click for Bill de Blasio on other issues.
Source: Townhall.com: "The 2020 Democrats" (presidential hopefuls)
Bill de Blasio on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Apr 12, 2019)
NYC will always be the ultimate city of immigrants
[After President Trump suggested that illegal immigrants be sent to "sanctuary cities" such as NYC]: President Trump has yet again proven that the only constant in his immigration policy is cruelty.
He uses people like pawns. New York City will always be the ultimate city of immigrants--the President's empty threats won't change that.
Click for Bill de Blasio on other issues.
Source: Mayoral press release, "Undocumented," NYC.gov
Ron DeSantis on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Mar 5, 2019)
No sanctuary cities in Florida
Florida will not be a sanctuary state - we won't allow someone here illegally to commit criminal misconduct and simply be returned to our communities.
And we won't tolerate sanctuary cities that actively frustrate law enforcement by shielding criminal aliens from accountability at the expense of public safety. Let's prohibit sanctuary cities in Florida.
Click for Ron DeSantis on other issues.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Kirsten Gillibrand on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Jan 15, 2019)
Blue Dog: opposed sanctuary cities & opposed amnesty
During her tenure in the House, Gillibrand was part of the Blue Dog Coalition, voting in favor of legislation that would withhold funds from sanctuary cities and opposing amnesty for undocumented immigrants. For those just getting acquainted
with Gillibrand in the Trump era, in which she has voted with the president's position less than 12% of the time (the lowest among her colleagues), her past views may come as a surprise.
On immigration, the New York
Democrat explained her shift: "I came from a district that was 98% white," Gillibrand said. "We have immigrants, but not a lot of immigrants. And I just didn't take the time to
understand why these issues mattered because it wasn't right in front of me. And that was my fault. It was something that I'm embarrassed about and I'm ashamed of."
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: Washington Examiner on 2020 Presidential Hopefuls
Ron DeSantis on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Oct 9, 2018)
DACA is unconstitutional; opposes any path to citizenship
Q: Support path to citizenship for America's 11 million illegal immigrants, including "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," who grew up in the US after being brought here as children?Ron DeSantis (R): No. Considers DACA unconstitutional. Opposes any path
to citizenship. DACA "amnesty" would further incentivize illegal immigration & chain migration. Fire officials who abet sanctuary cities.
Andrew Gillum (D): Yes. Can protect national security "without criminalizing" undocumented people.
Click for Ron DeSantis on other issues.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Ron DeSantis on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Aug 31, 2018)
Supports E-Verify; opposes sanctuary cities
DeSantis fully backs President Donald Trump's moves to enforce border security and deport illegal immigrants. As governor, DeSantis has promised to ban "sanctuary cities" even though virtually no city in Florida has such policies. West Palm Beach was on
a list of cities identified by the Trump administration as possibly having policies of non-cooperation with federal immigration officials, but elected officials there dispute that, saying they cooperate with federal authorities when asked.
Alachua and Clay counties have been accused of being sanctuary areas for not complying with detention requests in some instances, but those claims are disputed as well.
DeSantis also wants to enact an E-Verify law requiring employers to check the
immigration status of their workers. It's an idea Gov. Rick Scott pushed in his first year in office but quickly dropped when it failed to get through the Legislature.
Click for Ron DeSantis on other issues.
Source: Orlando Sentinel on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Gavin Newsom on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Jul 26, 2017)
Sanctuary cities build trust
Newsom supports San Francisco's status as a "sanctuary city" for undocumented immigrants, as long as they do not commit crimes.
This has built trust that leads to more schooling, vaccinations and other services that these residents might have hesitated to seek, he said.
Click for Gavin Newsom on other issues.
Source: Modesto Bee on 2018 California gubernatorial race
Kirsten Gillibrand on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration May 9, 2017)
2007 SAVE Act: beef up border; oppose sanctuary cities
In 2007, she cosponsored the SAVE Act, which significantly beefed up border patrols, required all employers to check the immigration status of their employees through a flawed computer database, established monetary rewards for anyone who helped
catch an undocumented immigrant trying to obtain falsified documents, and turned local police into an arm of federal immigration enforcement. She supported financially penalizing sanctuary cities.
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: Jacobin Magazine on 2018 New York Senate race
Marty Walsh on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Jan 26, 2017)
Opposed Trump order on defunding sanctuary cities
Sanctuary cities are already fighting back against President Donald Trump's executive order to strip them of funding if they protect undocumented immigrants. "If people want to live here, they'll live here. They can use my office. They can use any
office in this building," said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. "I will use all of my power within lawful means to protect all Boston residents--even if that means using City Hall itself as a last resort."
Click for Marty Walsh on other issues.
Source: Common Dreams blog on 2021 Biden Cabinet
Mike Pence on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Oct 4, 2016)
End sanctuary cities; those policies drive wages down
Q: What would you tell the millions of undocumented immigrants who have not committed violent crimes?A: Trump has laid out a plan to end illegal immigration once and for all in this country. We've been talking it to death for 20 years. Hillary
Clinton and Tim Kaine want to continue the policies of open borders, amnesty, catch and release, sanctuary cities--all the things that are are driving wages down in this country, and also too often with criminal aliens in the country, it's bringing
heartbreak. But Trump has a plan that he laid out in Arizona, that will deal systemically with illegal immigration, beginning with border security, internal enforcement. Trump has laid out a priority to remove criminal aliens, remove people that have
overstayed their visas. Once we have accomplished all of that, which will strengthen our economy, strengthen the rule of law in the country and make our communities safer once the criminal aliens are out, then we'll deal with those that remain.
Click for Mike Pence on other issues.
Source: 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate at Longwood University
Donald Trump on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Aug 31, 2016)
10-point plan: wall; zero tolerance; biometrics; E-Verify
- We will build a great wall along the southern border. And Mexico will pay for it.
- We are going to end catch and release.
- Zero tolerance for criminal aliens. Zero. They don't come in here. We're going to triple the number of ICE
deportation officers. We're also going to hire 5,000 more Border Patrol agents.
- Block funding for sanctuary cities. No more funds.
- Cancel unconstitutional executive orders and enforce all immigration laws.
- Suspend issuance of visas to any
place where adequate screening cannot occur.
- Ensure that other countries take their people back when they are deported.
- We will finally complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system which we need desperately. The politicians are all talk,
no action, never happens.
- Turn off the jobs and benefits magnet. We will ensure that E-Verify is used to the fullest extent possible under existing law.
- Reform legal immigration to serve the best interests of America and its workers.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Ballotpedia.org on Campaign speech in Phoenix Arizona
Donald Trump on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Nov 3, 2015)
Cut off federal funds to sanctuary cities
We have to cut off federal grants to sanctuary cities--those places that refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement and actually abet criminal behavior--we have to end them. I repeat, we either are a nation of laws or we're not.
We also need to do what is necessary to enforce our visa regulations. People get a visa and come here legally, and when that visa expires, many stay here illegally. If they get caught, nothing happens to them. That's got to change.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Crippled America, by Donald Trump, p. 27
Rand Paul on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Jul 26, 2015)
Secure border with Mexico; do away with sanctuary cities
When I think of immigration, I think that you do have to have a secure border, but I don't automatically think that immigrants are bad people.
I think the opposite. I think of my great-grandfather, who came here from Germany, and I think that most immigrants come here seeking the American dream.
And I'm not going to vilify all immigrants with a broad brush.
I think there are some bad people--and I put in legislation on the sanctuary cities to try to make sure that never happens again, but I think by and large, the people who come to our country want the American dream.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: Fox News Sunday 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls
Hillary Clinton on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Sep 6, 2007)
Sanctuary cities ok; local police can’t enforce immigration
Q: Would you allow “sanctuary cities” to ignore the federal law & provide sanctuary to immigrants?A: Why do they have sanctuary cities? In large measure because if local law enforcement begins to act like immigration enforcement officers, you will hav
people not reporting crimes. You will have people hiding from the police. That is a real direct threat to the personal safety and security of all the citizens. So this is a result of the failure of the federal government, and that’s where it needs to be
fixed.
Q: But you would allow the sanctuary cities to disobey the federal law?
A: Well, I don’t think there is any choice. The local police chief trying to solve a crime might know people from the immigrant community have information about it, but
they may not talk to you if they think you’re also going to be enforcing the immigration laws. Local law enforcement has a different job than federal immigration enforcement. The problem is the federal government has totally abdicated its responsibility.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
Joe Biden on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Sep 6, 2007)
Sanctuary cities exist because feds can’t enforce their laws
Q: Would you allow “sanctuary cities” to ignore the federal law and provide sanctuary to these immigrants?A: The reason that cities ignore the federal law is the fact that there is no funding at the federal level to provide for the kind of enforcement
at the federal level you need. This administration’s been fundamentally derelict in not funding any of the requirements that are needed even to enforce the existing law.
Q: So would you allow those cities to ignore the federal law?
A: No.
Click for Joe Biden on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
Mike Gravel on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Sep 6, 2007)
Make whole country a sanctuary city
Q: Would you allow “sanctuary cities” to ignore the federal law & provide sanctuary to immigrants?A: This whole nation should be a sanctuary for the world and bring the people in. What’s going on? We’re scapegoating the
Latinos of our society because we as a society are failing in education, we’re failing in health care, we’re failing in our crumbling infrastructure, and we’re failing by invading countries and spending our treasure. That’s what’s wrong.
Click for Mike Gravel on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
Barack Obama on Sanctuary Cities:
(Immigration Sep 6, 2007)
Sanctuary cities show that feds are not enforcing law
Q: Would you allow “sanctuary cities” to ignore the federal law & provide sanctuary to immigrants?A: The federal law is not being enforced not because of failures of local communities, but because the federal government has not done the job that it
needs to do.
Q: You would allow the sanctuary cities to exist?
A: What I would do as president is pass comprehensive immigration reform. And controlling our borders but also providing a rational immigration system, which we currently don’t have.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
Page last updated: Mar 02, 2022
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