Solidarity and Sanctuary Cities: An Open Letter from Mayor Curtatone

[KingCharlemagne]

5. I fear that the phrase "sanctuary city" (or "sanctuary state") may

be inculcating a false sense of security among targeted sub-groups.

I live in Los Anglees, another of the so-called 'sanctuary cities.' What this means in practice, at least so far, is that the Los Angeles Police Department will not assist agents of ICE in carrying out immigration enforcement actions, nor will the LAPD enforce local and state laws based upon a person's immigration status.

But it does nto mean that ICE and CBP aren't operating in Los Angeles and Southern California.

If I had my 'druthers, our City Council would be ordering the LAPD to actively impede all enforcement efforts of ICE within our city limits. I have actually made this request to my city councilperson but received a ho-hum response. Fair enough. I suppose municipal politicians (with the exception of Socialist Alternative Kshama Sawant in Seattle) are so far unwilling to move resistance to the federal government to the next level.

For Los Angeles or any municipality to become a true 'sanctuary' for targeted sub-groups, ICE and CBP must be made persona non grata within the jurisdiction's borders.