Evanston to Revisit ‘Sanctuary City’ Status

EVANSTON, IL - The city of Evanston is expected to revisit just what it means to be a “sanctuary city.”

City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz told the Evanston Review recently that the City Council and city staff will look at the current sanctuary resolution that was adopted in 2008 and possibly update it to reflect present circumstances, i.e. the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States.

Trump has indicated plans to create a Muslim registry and to punish sanctuary cities with a reduction of federal funds.

Bobkiewicz said numerous community members have expressed concern with city officials regarding what could happen to undocumented immigrant family members once Trump is sworn in in January.

"This is something that is hitting home just within municipal government here and we are a tiny, tiny microcosm of all this. This is an issue many communities will face," Bobkiewicz said.

He said the city will take “a fresh look” at what it means to be a sanctuary city and any possible repercussions that could come from remaining one.

Shortly after the election, Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl declared that the city will remain a sanctuary city.

More via the Evanston Review

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