Trumps’ Sanctuary City Executive Order Threatens to Dismantle Access to Fair Housing for Millions of Americans
Across the country, sanctuary cities have lawfully exercised their authority to limit the degree to which their local law enforcement agencies cooperate with the federal government to enforce immigration laws. There are good reasons for doing this. Limited city resources should be focused on providing critical services to residents rather than being diverted to carrying out federal policies. But, instead of respecting legitimate local decision-making, President Trump signed an executive order on January 25, 2017 that threatens to strip federal funding from sanctuary cities. This executive order undermines the vitality of our cities, puts fair housing efforts at risk, and raises serious constitutional concerns. Sanctuary policies help strengthen our communities. Contrary to the administration’s claims, jurisdictions with sanctuary policies actually have lower levels of crime. When undocumented immigrants are not afraid that any interaction with local authorities could lead to deportation, they are more likely to go to the police […]
The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure equal justice for all through the rule of law, targeting in particular the inequities confronting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities. The Lawyers’ Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to enlist the private bar's leadership and resources in combating racial discrimination and the resulting inequality of opportunity - work that continues to be vital today.