Hyattsville Defies Donald Trump in Bold New Measure

HYATTSVILLE, MD — President Donald Trump has threatened to yank funding from local governments who protect undocumented immigrants, but that didn't stop Hyattsville from voting on Monday to declare itself a "sanctuary city."

The city council approved an ordinance by a vote of 8-2 that would direct local police officers and other officials to ignore the immigration status of residents. The measure was approved on a preliminary basis two weeks ago.

Trump signed an executive officer shortly after taking office in January that targets sanctuary jurisdictions that receive federal funds.

“Sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States willfully violate federal law in an attempt to shield aliens from removal from the United States,” that executive order states. “These jurisdictions have caused immeasurable harm to the American people and to the very fabric of our Republic.”

The new ordinance states that the city will not deal with immigration matters, leaving that to the federal government.

“No official or employee may detain or arrest an individual based solely on known or suspected violations of federal civil immigration law,” the ordinance states, according to media reports.

Image via Gage Skidmore