WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2019) Mayors of so-called sanctuary cities in the United States that limit cooperation with US immigration authorities said in separate statements on Friday that they are prepared to welcome illegal immigrants.
The statements come in response to President Donald Trump's proposed idea of transporting detained migrants who illegally crossed the US border to sanctuary cities.
"The city would be prepared to welcome these immigrants just as we have embraced our immigrant communities for decades," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement. "This White House plan demonstrates the utter contempt that the Trump Administration has for basic human dignity."
"These are people, not pawns, Mr. President," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti wrote on Twitter late on Thursday after the media proposed plan.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham criticized Trump's proposal via Twitter, saying it is "absurd, sad and all to characteristic of the president - not to mention indicative of a complete and cruel indifference to the plight of migrant families."
Cracking down on illegal immigration has been a central focus of Trump presidential campaign and administration. Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut funding to jurisdictions and state that do not cooperate with US Federal immigration authorities.
