Troubled by city’s latest showdown with Trump administration
asking for documentation.” — Steven Fernandez, 23
• “Everybody’s expected to abide by laws, but sometimes things can be very community-oriented. And this issue is very local, so it’s hard to say that the federal government can do a better job than a small community with people who are already interacting with those communities. ... If it’s a small community issue, then it only belongs in a small community. Holding federal funds hostage for political gains doesn’t work well. It only hurts the people it’s supposed to help.” — Brandon Corey, 26 • “I don’t see why our local police force should do the work of the federal government . ... (Trump’s) trying to make our local police force work in a way that sort of serves his end in terms of intimidating immigrants, both legal and illegal. I think it’s cruel, I hope it’s illegal, and it’s hard to see my friends and neighbors living in fear . ... They may worry about calling police and reporting crime because of their immigration status, and for the city of Lawrence, that’s not good.” — Kristen Harold, 49
• “I think that stinks, seriously. Being an immigrant myself, I don’t think that’s right ... I have a lot of empathy for the people here. ... I think Lawrence should stand their ground and not support this. To set an example that we’re a melting pot . ... We’re all immigrants. — Rosa Valero, 52
• “I don’t think it’s a good idea having this struggle. If someone’s guilty of a serious crime, if they’re selling drugs or in gangs, then they shouldn’t be given sanctuary and if they’re not guilty then I think they shouldn’t turn them in . ... If it’s going to help with getting the serious ones out then we should do it.” — Mike Garrihy, 67