DC To Become Super Sanctuary City For Undocumented Immigrants

WASHINGTON, DC — "Sanctuary cities" for illegal immigrants have long been a divisive subject between Republicans and Democrats, but D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is really going out of her way to stick her thumb in the eye of those on the right: She's promising to create a legal defense fund to help immigrants in the city.

The term "sanctuary city" refers to cities that adopt a policy of protecting undocumented immigrants by refusing to prosecute them for violating federal immigration laws in the country and by declining to cooperate with federal authorities in tracking them down.

D.C. has long been one of these sanctuary cities, but Bowser is taking it a step farther, announcing on Jan. 9 that the D.C. government would "provide $500,000 to community-based organizations, private organizations, associations and law firms that do legal work for immigrants in Washington, D.C.," her office said in a statement.

“In Washington, D.C. we embrace our diversity and strive to be more inclusive," Bowser said in the statement. "In November, I reaffirmed Washington, D.C.’s status as a sanctuary city, and now we are doubling down. We must ensure that all District residents can take advantage of their federal and constitutional rights. Through the Immigrant Justice Legal Services grant program, we are ensuring that if immigration enforcement changes and problems arise, DC’s immigrant population will have our support and the support of DC’s legal community.”

The Immigrant Justice Legal Services (IJLS) grant program will fund organizations that help D.C. residents get green cards, renew work permits, conduct workshops and briefings that educates immigrants on their rights, represent D.C. residents in deportation proceedings and file lawsuits to challenge deporting undocumented persons, to name just a few criteria.

Sanctuary cities have long been a thorn in the side of Republicans who have hoped for tougher immigration policies to stop the rise of undocumented immigrants in the United States. With the election of Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress, an epic battle between the federal government and sanctuary cities likely is coming.

Image via Wikimedia user Jonathan McIntosh