Trump's Promises/ VOA: Toughening Immigration Policies Expected Battle for Immigrants

One of President-elect Donald Trump's campaign promises was to push Congress to pass legislation against cities that do not implement tough policies on immigrants. In these cities, cooperation with federal immigration authorities is limited. As Voice of America correspondent Aline Barros reports, some local officials are vowing to oppose the new Trump administration.

President-elect Donald Trump made campaign promises to toughen immigration policies. He vowed to cut federal funding from so-called "sanctuary cities," whose local governments limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

“ As soon as I take office, we will immediately increase federal law enforcement to every city that is failing, which there are many, to turn over foreign criminals. And we will track down and capture every gang member, drug dealer, rapist, murderer, and criminal immigrant who is harboring them illegally ,” Mr. Trump said in September.

Among the paradise cities are New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles... as well as Takoma Park, in Maryland, the state neighboring the capital Washington. Talisha Searcy is the mayor there.

“ Our police department continues to enforce the laws against violators. That’s important to emphasize. So if there are issues of crime in our community, regardless of someone’s immigration status, we enforce them ,” said Mayor Searcy.

She says Takoma Park has been a paradise town since 1985.

" Our employees are not allowed to enforce immigration laws in the city of Takoma Park. They are prohibited from asking about citizenship or immigration status to participate in city programs or to receive support from the city ," she says.

The mayor says this helps keep communities safe because immigrants are not afraid to report crimes to authorities.

During his first term, former President Trump acted on his first executive order to end the sanctuary cities movement.

But the order was declared unconstitutional because the federal government does not control the implementation of state and local legislation.

Some states, such as Florida, have passed laws requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

" We are not a haven state. We banned haven cities, but you have to have effective accountability to hold those people accountable if they choose to go in a different direction ," said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

He says he intends to assist incoming President Trump in the proposed action.

Mayor Searcy says the city of Takoma Park is prepared for potential conflicts with the incoming administration.

" We intend to maintain our ideals and maintain our policies and maintain our code, as the law that prevails in the city of Takoma Park ," says Mayor Searcy.

As President-elect Trump promises tough immigration policies, immigration activists in sanctuary cities vow to oppose the new administration./ VOA