Syracuse will remain a sanctuary city, according to Mayor Stephanie Miner, in the wake of efforts by the Trump administration to punish cities that refuse to uphold immigration law.
After the Justice Department threatened to withhold billions of dollars from self-proclaimed sanctuary cities, Miner said Syracuse is resolute in holding on to that designation.
“They’re trying to threaten and bully us into having our local police departments to become the tools of enforcement of federal, civil immigration law,” the mayor said.
Miner expects this whole issue will end up in the courts. Already, New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says the state will fight on behalf of sanctuary cities, contending the federal government’s move is unconstitutional. Miner agrees.
"We may join the litigation if appropriate. We’re making sure we’re have all our facts in order and we’re being very clear about what we will and will not do.”
The Trump administration is threatening to withhold more than $4 billion in federal grants from sanctuary cities nationwide.
