Durkan: Proposal sending illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities ‘inhumane’
Apr 12, 2019, 3:39 PM
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan
Following threats from President Trump to place illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities — Seattle among them — Mayor Jenny Durkan responded, calling the proposal “inhumane.”
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“It is against our values to use people – including children and families in crisis – as political pawns,” Mayor Durkan said in a Friday news release. “Seattle will continue to fight for the dignity of every person and will not allow any administration to use the power of America to destroy the promise of America.”
Trump’s threats came in the form Tweets Friday morning, citing “the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws,” claiming the “Radical Left” supports open borders.
According to the president, “strong considerations” are on the table for sending illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities largely considered to be Democratic strongholds, including San Francisco and Seattle. For Durkan, one of the primary concerns regards safety.
“Time and again, we have seen this administration weaken the moral standing of America and undermine true public safety,” Durkan’s statement continued.
Other leaders of states and cities with declared sanctuary statuses for illegal immigrants were equally as critical of Trump’s proposal, most notably California Gov. Gavin Newson.
“It’s ludicrous. It’s petulant. I have a 7-year-old, he would be embarrassed,” Newsom said in an interview with CBS.
Pushback from prominent conservatives was also prevalent, including KTTH’s own, Michael Medved.
“Yes, #SanctuaryCities are a terrible idea, but ‘punishing’ these towns by depositing busloads of asylum seekers on their doorsteps, is even worse,” he Tweeted out Friday. “Aside from treating humans like animal pests, it abuses power and wastes taxpayer money to stage a dumb, destructive political stunt.”
According to a New York Times report, one Homeland Security official dubbed the proposal “an unnecessary operational burden” on Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
