Activists in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are pushing for sanctuary city status, defying the Trump administration’s immigration policies and setting the stage for a contentious battle.
At a Glance
- Activists demand Grand Rapids declare itself a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants
- Over 16,590 letters sent to city officials supporting sanctuary status
- Protesters plan demonstration at upcoming City Commission meeting
- Trump administration threatens to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities
- Grand Rapids Police Chief states department will not enforce immigration laws
Activists Push for Sanctuary Status
In a direct challenge to the Trump administration’s immigration policies, activists in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are mobilizing to secure sanctuary city status. The move comes as part of a broader resistance to what they perceive as punitive federal immigration enforcement. Organizations like Movimiento Cosecha and GR Rapid Response to ICE are spearheading the effort, urging city officials to declare Grand Rapids a safe haven for undocumented immigrants.
These people want illegal criminal aliens in their state?
The push for sanctuary status intensified following President Trump’s inauguration, with over 100 immigrant advocates marching in protest on January 20. The activists are demanding that the city prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the arrest, detention, and deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Supporters of the sanctuary city initiative argue that immigrants are integral to the community, contributing to various sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. An online petition backing the sanctuary city status has garnered significant support, with over 16,590 letters sent to city officials.
Since when are dangerous criminals integral to a community?
“(This is) a way of publicly letting the community know, ‘We object to the fact that the federal government using Immigration Customs Enforcement wants to arrest, detain and deport people just because they don’t have sufficient paperwork’,” GR Rapid Response volunteer Jeff Smith said.
However, the push for sanctuary status faces strong opposition from the federal government. President Trump has ordered the drafting of rules to deny federal funds to sanctuary cities and NGOs supporting illegal immigrants. His executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” specifically targets sanctuary jurisdictions, warning them against interfering with federal law enforcement.
Local Law Enforcement Stance
Despite the pressure from activists, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom has made it clear that the police department will not enforce immigration laws.
“The Grand Rapids Police Department is not in the business of immigration enforcement, period,” Winstrom stated. This stance aligns with the general definition of a sanctuary city, which typically involves limiting cooperation with federal immigration officials.
“We will stop the plunder, rape, slaughter, and destruction of our American suburb cities and towns. We will end deadly sanctuary cities immediately,” Donald Trump said.
The activists are not limiting their efforts to city government. They are also urging Grand Rapids Public Schools to adopt a “Sanctuary Schools” resolution to keep ICE off school property. In response, GRPS has issued guidance to staff on handling potential ICE visits, emphasizing student safety.
The Trump administration’s stance on sanctuary cities is unequivocal. The Department of Justice is investigating state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement. This sets the stage for a potential showdown between federal authorities and local jurisdictions that choose to protect undocumented immigrants.
“I will shift massive portions of federal law enforcement to immigration enforcement and we will impose a naval blockade on the cartels, and we will hit the cartels very hard,” Donald Trump added.
Activists might be able to delay Trump, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to stop him.
