New Denver Ordinance Aims To Protect Immigrants

DENVER, CO — Denver passed a local law that hopes to protect immigrant rights as the Trump administration threatens to revoke federal money from so-called sanctuary cities.

City Council voted 10-0 to approve the ordinance Monday. It largely sets into law what is currently practiced and is designed to reassure immigrants while not formally declaring Denver a sanctuary city.

President Donald Trump has prioritized revoking federal dollars from so-called sanctuary cities, broadly defined as places that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Trump said he believes such cities and counties are providing a haven for unlawful activity. (For more information on Trump's immigration crackdown and other Denver stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Chicago filed a federal lawsuit targeting new conditions for the federal aid. Lawsuits over constitutional concerns also have been filed in San Francisco, Seattle and other cities.

By The Associated Press

Photo credit:Daniel X. O'Neil via Flickr/Creative Commons