Newton's 'Sanctuary City' Proposals Are Not Without Their Detractors

NEWTON, MA – City officials met at Newton City Hall Wednesday night to discuss two potential policies regarding law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

But the proposals – which would effectively establish Newton as a "sanctuary city" – do not come without their detractors, according to a Boston Globe report.

The Globe reported that at Wednesday night's meeting, dozens of protesters stood outside City Hall with signs saying "No Sanctuary City," citing public safety and federal funding concerns. President-elect Donald Trump has previously threatened to withhold federal funds from cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

>>>Read the full report from the Boston Globe

Late last year, two separate ordinances were docketed that would establish Newton's official policy on enforcing undocumented immigrants.

The first, co-docketed by the mayor, police chief and council president, would state that police officers do not arrest or hold people based on their undocumented status, but do have the right to detain undocumented immigrants in collaboration with federal authorities, the Newton TAB previously reported.

But some want the ordinance to come with stronger language, in the vein of cities like Somerville and Boston. Seven city councilors docketed a second ordinance with more specific language, and while the specifics of Newton's policy remains up in the air, according to the Globe the goal is to have clear-cut rules to determine when police and city officials can review an individual's immigration status and work with federal authorities.

>>>Read the full report from the Boston Globe

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