Sanctuary City Mayors Beg Obama for Executive Action on Illegals

The mayors of 31 sanctuary cities, led by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio have signed a letter asking President Obama for further protections for illegal immigrants before President-elect Trump takes office. The mayors include Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

Trump has promised to expel more than two million illegals in the short term, and to take action against sanctuary cities which refuse to help enforce the immigration laws.

Specifically the letter asked for an extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which affects 740,000 illegals, and the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, designed for regions like Haiti and Ecuador, where deportation might send them back to homes that are not safe.

In addition the letter thanks Obama for ending the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEER) program

“We also thank you for listening to concerns from local leaders, among other voices, and taking steps this week to end the failed National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) program,” the letter continued. “This ‘special registration’ program was discriminatory and created great fear and turmoil within our communities, particularly among Muslim immigrants, while not providing any increase in security. A revival of the program would only serve to heighten tensions and increase the risk of bias-based crimes at a time when hate speech and hate crimes are on the rise. For these reasons, we commend your Administration for this move.

In the meantime, New York City is being slammed for issuing ID cards to illegal immigrants, called “and obstruction of justice.” This comes from former New York police commissioner Howard Safir.

“They’re not only endangering the rest of us but they’re endangering the other immigrants in the country and all of our citizens,” Safir said.

This request for executive action on Obama’s part may be futile, since President Trump will be able to undo any such executive orders with his own.

President Trump’s campaign promises were clear, and his cabinet picks reflect his resolve, however this may not be as straightforward as it seems. The Hartford Courant notes that a ruling from Chief Justice John Roberts may be an issue. 

With regard to Obamacare where Obama threatened to cut funding to states that did not comply, Justice Roberts has said that Congress cannot rescind all federal funding to states if they don’t do what Congress wants them to.

It is difficult to predict the outcome, however we anticipate quite a battle as this issue progresses.