The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a warning to Mayors of so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ in the United States, that they could face arrest if they do not change their policies. Acting director, Thomas Homan, says he is sick of people who put politics ahead of the safety of officers and the local community. He told The Washington Times that Mayors and other sanctuary city officials could be charged with violation of federal anti-smuggling laws.
According to Bizpac Review, the cities in question refuse to hold immigrants beyond the time they would normally be released, refusing communication with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, not even notifying officials when criminal immigrants that the agency has the right to deport from the US are released from custody.
Supporters of sanctuary city policies claim that fear of ICE prevents many legal immigrants, as well as the undocumented, from reporting crimes, posing a more significant danger to the community. Homan is not convinced by that argument, saying that it is only a matter of time before an ICE officer is injured or killed because of political choices made by others.
Homan says he is looking at all options to bring sanctuary cities to heel, including possible prosecutions. He adds that those in charge need to look closely at whether they are breaking the law. Although immigration enforcement efforts have strengthened under President Trump, Homan says that 2017 is unlikely to beat the deportation record set under President Barack Obama.