Crackdown on Sanctuary States & Cities? Governor Says U.S. Needs Immigration Reform

PROVIDENCE, RI — State Rep. Bobby Nardolillo (R-District 28 Coventry) wants the governor and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza to "consider the consequences of their actions when harboring illegal immigrants in the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island."

In a press release from the House Minority Office, Nardolillo indicated his comments came in response to President Trump's executive order.

"This week, the president signed an executive order that threatens to strip sanctuary cities of federal funding. Jurisdictions that willfully refuse to comply with federal immigration laws, the order says, are not eligible to receive Federal grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes by the attorney general or the secretary."

Elorza has gone on the record saying he will protect undocumented residents.

Raimondo's office, however, says "Congress needs to fix the immigration system."

David Ortiz, spokesman for Gov. Gina Raimondo, said,"there are millions of immigrants in America who have been here since they were babies and for all practical purposes they are Americans, and we need to find a path to citizenship for these people."

Raimondo's office also said no one's sure yet how President Trump's executive order will impact Rhode Island. For now, it's business as usual.

"The Rhode Island State Police will continue to protect Rhode Islanders and uphold the law,"Ortiz said. "We are reviewing the new administration’s executive orders to determine what if any impact they could have in Rhode Island."

Rep. Nardolillo said, “Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza are not putting Rhode Islanders first when they take a stance regarding illegal immigrants, against what the President of the United States is mandating. Rather, they are digging in, which is putting federal funding for Rhode Island on the line. Mayor Elorza says Providence already cooperates and complies with all federal law, but that the city doesn’t extend itself to enforce immigration laws. To me, that equates to defying federal law, putting his city at risk for losing federal funding. If our Governor backs him up, that puts federal funding for Rhode Island at risk.”

According to the House Minority Office's press release, "there is no formal definition for sanctuary jurisdictions, but the title is generally assigned to communities that refuse to cooperate with certain requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when it comes to holding an undocumented immigrant for deportation. The executive order Trump signed Wednesday states that the secretary of homeland security would be given the ability to designate sanctuary communities."

Nardolillo said he's concerned.

“It goes without question, that due to Elorza’s stance on this matter, Providence will probably receive such a designation,” Rep. Nardolillo added. “My fear is that the state of Rhode Island will receive this designation as well. Our Governor is putting millions of dollars at risk, and because of it, taxpayers may have to foot the bill.”

U.S. Cong. David Cicilline (D-RI) also said the president cannot order state and city officials "to do whatever he wants."

“Our Constitution makes clear that the President is not a king," Cicilline said. "In the absence of congressional authorization and appropriated funding by Congress, his directive to hire thousands of new border agents and construct a wall raise serious constitutional questions."

He also argued the solution should start with immigration reform but made it clear he's not advocating amnesty for people who are not documented.

“Congress needs to come together in a bipartisan way, to pass comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders and creates a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants after they go to the end of the line, pay their taxes, and pass a criminal background check," he said. "That’s how we should address this issue and we should do it now.”