Trump to Crack Down on 'Sanctuary Cities' Like Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Wednesday withholding federal grant funding from "sanctuary cities" such as Chicago, which have designated themselves as safe zones for undocumented immigrants. The details of the order are said to still be worked out, according to sources talking to Patch.

Sanctuary cities are municipalities with established policies that don't require local agencies to go after residents based on their status as U.S. citizens. Evanston was declared a sanctuary city in 2008 when the City Council adopted a measure initiated by then-2nd Ward Alderman Lionel Jean-Baptiste.

This status, however, doesn't mean that Evanston police and other local law enforcement agencies will not investigate, arrest or prosecute undocumented immigrants for non-immigration crimes.

Trump's crackdown on sanctuary cities doesn't come as a surprise to local and state officials. After November's election, Evanston not only reaffirmed its status as a sanctuary city but strengthened the 'Welcoming City' ordinance that was first adopted eight years earlier. The new version of the ordinance prohibits law enforcement from asking someone about their immigration status.

RELATED: Evanston Police Haven't Helped Deport an Immigrant in More Than a Decade

“We were very proud to pass that ordinance,” 3rd Ward Ald. Melissa Wynne said when it was updated in November. “Frankly, it saddens me that we have to strengthen our ordinance now.”

Evanston won't be the only Illinois city affected by sanctions against sanctuary cities. Cicero, Urbana and Chicago - in addition to Cook and Champaign counties - could see a loss in federal money if Trump's executive order goes through.

READ MORE: How Trump's Executive Order on Immigration Could Affect Chicago

Despite a looming executive order, Trump faces challenges when it comes to effectively shutting down sanctuary cities. According to the Washington Post, the issue isn't a high priority for most Republican lawmakers, and it would face opposition by Democrats.

In Chicago's case, Trump's threat to stop federal grants flies in the face of his Tuesday night Twitter ultimatum telling city officials to fix curb crime and violence or "the Feds" would be called in. While not specifically addressing that tweet, Emanuel on Tuesday said he wished the federal government provided more support to the city, which would include funding for projects such as after-school programs for teens.

Patch Editors Colin Miner and Joe Vince contributed to this story.

President Donald Trump (photo via The White House)

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