State capital withdraws sanctuary city designation
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s capital reversed a decision to call itself a sanctuary city that protects immigrants regardless of their legal status, bowing to pressure from a business community concerned that the term would draw unwanted attention to Lansing from President Trump’s administration and cost the city federal funding.
The City Council voted 5-2 late Wednesday to reverse course just nine days after unanimously deciding to call Lansing a sanctuary. The term sanctuary city has no legal definition and varies in application, but it generally refers to jurisdictions that do not cooperate with U.S. immigration officials.
Under Lansing policy set out last week in an order from Mayor Virg Bernero that stays in effect, employees cannot ask about immigration status, except as required by U.S. or Michigan law or a court order. Police also are prohibited from holding immigrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless federal authorities have a judicial warrant.
“It is not the two words that make this a sanctuary city. We have an executive order right now that protects folks and keeps them and their family intact,” said Councilwoman Kathie Dunbar, who opposed dropping the term. The reversal sent a “really sad” message to the community, she said.
“It is a darn shame that after appearing to have a backbone and actually taking a stand on something that really matters, folks have decided to just throw it away,” Dunbar said.
The new vote followed 2½ hours of contentious public comment during which more than 70 people spoke for and against the measure. After the vote was taken, crowd members shouted “spineless” at the council members. Members of a proTrump group in attendance applauded the move.