Rahm Flouts Trump, Vows To Keep Chicago 'Sanctuary City' For Immigrants

By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 14, 2016 2:55PM

Photo: Tyler LaRiviere

The City of Chicago vowed on Sunday to remain a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants, joining other cities that have pushed back against Donald Trump on the issue. Trump in September pledged to stop federal funding for so-called sanctuary cities.

"Since the Presidential Election, there has been a sense of uncertainty among many immigrant communities in Chicago and across the nation. I want to assure all of our families that Chicago is and will remain a Sanctuary City,” said Mayor Emanuel in a statement on Sunday evening. “Chicago has been a city of immigrants since it was founded. We have always welcomed people of all faiths and backgrounds, and while the administration will change, our values and our commitment to inclusion will not."

Trump has claimed that sanctuary cities protect violent immigrants (did you see that one coming?); and he said he would withhold federal dollars from noncompliant cities.

“Block funding for sanctuary cities ... no more funding. We will end the sanctuary cities that have resulted in so many needless deaths," Trump said at a speech in September, according to CNN. "Cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities will not receive taxpayer dollars, and we will work with Congress to pass legislation to protect those jurisdictions that do assist federal authorities."

Emanuel and a group of aldermen are set to hold a press conference on Monday to discuss the statement and reiterate calls that Gov. Bruce Rauner also push back on Trump’s sanctuary-related funding threat.

“(Rauner) decided to play politics and talk about banning Syrian refugees well before the Trump campaign had taken off," said Ald. Ameya-Pawar (47th Ward) on Friday, according to the Sun-Times. “My question is, where are you on this? Are you going to fight for the city and ensure that all of our funding stays in place because we are a sanctuary city? Are you going to stand up for Chicago and to a president-elect who is essentially threatening to eviscerate programs in major cities across America?”

Other cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Minneapolis have made similar re-endorsements of their sanctuary status in recent days.