Phoenix to Deliberate on Immigration Policy Compliance Amidst Federal Pressure
As federal scrutiny intensifies, Phoenix city officials are set to engage in a confidential meeting on Tuesday to deliberate over the implications of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. This meeting underscores the tension between local governance and federal mandates.
The session is a direct response to a directive from the Department of Justice, which has issued a memo cautioning state and local authorities about potential legal consequences if they fail to assist with immigration enforcement. This three-page document urges U.S. attorneys to pursue investigations against local officials who do not adhere to federal immigration directives.
In a notable decision made during President Donald Trump’s initial term in 2017, city officials in Phoenix turned down a proposal to classify Phoenix as a sanctuary city. The then-mayor, Greg Stanton, highlighted that such a move would contravene state laws and could jeopardize substantial state shared revenue.
In response to evolving federal policies, Phoenix police modified their department guidelines later in the same year. The updated procedures now necessitate the approval of a sergeant before engaging with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, reflecting a cautious approach to federal immigration enforcement requests. Further details on the revised policies can be found here.
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