Boston City Council reaffirms sanctuary status to “brace for impact’ of Trump mass deportation vow

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to reaffirm Boston’s status as a sanctuary city “to protect” immigrants amid President Donald Trump’s vow to carry out mass deportations when he takes office for the second time next month.

The 13-0 vote was to reaffirm the Boston Trust Act, which, per the Council’s approved resolution, was first enacted in 2014, later amended in 2019, and “delineates the distinct roles and responsibilities of the Boston Police Department from those of the U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE), thereby promoting trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities.’

The law prohibits Boston Police and other city departments from cooperating with ICE when it comes to detaining immigrants on civil warrants, while still allowing for cooperation in criminal matters like human trafficking, child exploitation, drug and weapons trafficking, and cybercrimes, according to the resolution.

“It’s not just a policy, but it is a promise to our immigrant neighbors that they are welcome here, and this is a safe haven, and they don’t have to live in fear of being unjustly scrutinized or even ripped away from their families,” Councilor Gabriela Coletta said at the Wednesday City Council meeting. “As we brace for impact, we’ve got to make sure that we all work together.”

City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who introduced the resolution and is the first Haitian-American elected to city government in Boston, made similar remarks.

“As the national climate grows increasingly hostile towards immigrant populations, we must reaffirm who we are as a city, our leadership role in maintaining a positive and welcoming environment here with our immigrant communities,” Louijeune said. “This resolution is just enforcing what is already on the books and what is already enforced, but I think our immigrant communities need to hear that we, as a Boston City Council, unanimously support them via the Trust Act.”

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The resolution, co-sponsored by Councilors Julia Mejia and Benjamin Weber, touches more specifically on the changing federal administration sparking the all-Democrat City Council’s decision to reaffirm Boston’s sanctuary status.

“In the face of changing federal leadership, the City of Boston must reaffirm our support for the Boston Trust Act to protect our immigrant residents by creating a safe environment where all residents, regardless of immigration status, can report crimes, seek assistance, and live without fear of discrimination or undue scrutiny.”

It goes on to state that, “The City of Boston shall continue to monitor and respond to federal immigration policies that may impact its residents, reaffirming its commitment to protect immigrant communities from unjust enforcement actions.”

The Council action follows progressive Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu’s declaration last month that the city would look to continue to protect immigrants in “every possible way” under the threat of mass deportations from Republican President-elect Donald Trump, and would not cooperate with efforts that threaten residents’ safety.

Wu’s comments caught the attention of Trump’s incoming border czar Tom Homan, who bashed the mayor for what he saw as her vow to fight federal efforts to eradicate public safety threats, leading to a public squabble between the two.

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