Northfield City Council Considers 'Sanctuary City' Status

The Northfield City Council is considering passing an ordinance to become a "sanctuary city," meaning police officers would be deterred from asking whether a resident is a legal United States citizen or not. Doing so, however, may mean harming the city's relationship with the federal government and President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities.

While there is no specific legal definition for what constitutes a sanctuary city, the term refers to cities that limit cooperation with the federal government in order to prevent residents from being deported.

Earlier this month, the Northfield City Council passed a resolution condemning discrimination and pledging not to use city resources for the "purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws." While the resolution doesn't mention President-elect Donald Trump by name, the bill is similar to a statement recently made by Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges in which she said she would "continue to stand up for immigrants" in face of the incoming Trump Administration.

Like Minneapolis, Northfield has a share of undocumented immigrant residents, according to the Northfield Police Department.

Northfield councillor Jessica Peterson White, who wrote the resolution, says she's concerned with how sanctuary city status would impact Northfield's relationship with federal officials. “I have concerns this would negatively impact our relationship with the federal government in a way that would be disadvantageous,” White told Northfield News. “But I’m also encouraged that Minneapolis and many other municipalities have taken this up successfully.

Northfield's outgoing Mayor Dana Graham and Mayor-elect Rhonda Pownell issued a joint-statement supporting the White's resolution, writing the final graph in Spanish in an effort to reach out to Northfield's Latino community.

Minneapolis Mayor Warns Donald Trump on Undocumented Immigrants

"As the results of the election came in some people rejoiced and others felt disappointment. Northfielders filled St. Dominic Church Sunday in support of our neighbors whose future now
may feel uncertain," the mayors wrote.

"In that meeting, we both heard and reinforced two messages: Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated here, and all people—regardless of race, sex, gender identity, sexuality, religion, or culture—are important to our community."

"We will be working with all parts of city government to improve areas where our community can be more equitable. With this resolution, we also affirm that the city of Northfield—including the Police Department—does not and will not use city resources for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws."

"The diversity of our community enriches all of our lives. Taking the time to get to know people that are different from us, to walk a mile in their shoes, or to feel their pain and anxiety will only serve to make us better. As current and incoming Mayors, we urge our community to be compassionate to all, and pledge our own work to ensure safety, well-being, and equal opportunity for Northfielders."

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