The sanctuary all stars list is out. It’s utter nonsense

Pasadena, CA – In response to the DHS announced ‘sanctuary cities’ list being released, NDLON campaign director S.G. Sarmiento made the following statement:  

“The sanctuary all stars list is out.  It’s Trump’s supposed sanctuary city hit list of pro-immigrant localities nationwide.  It’s utter nonsense, but also telling – of the dysfunctional, cartoonish, and yet dangerous lengths that the MAGA GOP will go to coerce cities and sheriffs into the fold.  

“Let’s be very clear:  the list is utter nonsense, probably AI generated, but it is being used by Ice and nativist groups to promote Trump’s favorite deportation program – 287g.  That must not go unanswered.  And reporters might want to ask, what is Trump or Ice demanding of local officials in return to get off of his hit list? 

“It’s been confirmed by federal courts, repeatedly, cities and states have the constitutionally protected right to say NO to Ice’s demands for arbitrary arrests or prolonged detentions.  More than that- it is their duty.  And not Trump, or Ice, or even Tom the Hulk Homan yelling into the microphones will change that.  

“We must ask, if the most anti immigrant city in southern California, Huntington Beach, is on Trump’s sanctuary city list – what then will it take to satisfy the fanatical demands of the nativist MAGA agenda?” 

Background: 

How will the list be utilized by ICE?  A recent AP article about the fight against mass deportations in IOWA exposed how the National Sheriffs Association is misleading localities nationwide to enter into 287g agreements with ICE, suggesting sheriffs will otherwise be added to Trump’s “sanctuary city” hit list.  

Why 287g?  We say it’s Trump’s favorite deportation program because it allows ICE to deputize local or state police, or sheriffs, to do their dirty work.  It’s section 287(g) of the INA statute.  It’s how ICE arrested over 800 people this month in Florida, with over 200 new 287g agreements across the state.  ICE and nativist hate groups are pushing 287g and other forms of collusion nationwide to increase arrests and make life miserable for workers and families.  

For more information on NDLON’s work on ending the S-COMM deportation dragnet.  

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