Phoenix approves new policies due to Trump’s executive orders
Phoenix will update its police policy regarding immigration enforcement and create a workforce program for refugees, the City Council decided Wednesday, more than two months after denying a citizen petition to become a “sanctuary city.”
The council approved a variety of recommendations intended to improve the relationships between Phoenix and communities that could be affected by recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump.
A resident petition created a firestorm in February when it asked the council to designate Phoenix a “sanctuary city,” a broad term used to describe jurisdictions that don’t comply with federal immigration enforcement. The move would have violated Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070, which regulates local immigration enforcement at the state level.
Instead, Mayor Greg Stanton created an ad-hoc subcommittee on a city response to Trump.
Wednesday’s vote focused primarily on updating the Phoenix police operations order that ensures officers comply with SB 1070. The council, on a 6-3 vote, approved directing Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams to “modernize” the operations order while still complying with the law.
That includes looking to best practices in immigration enforcement policies — particularly regarding victims and witnesses — in Mesa, Tucson and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Changes also would reflect recent court decisions.
Supportive council members said updating the order is a small but significant step. Council members Sal DiCiccio, Jim Waring and Thelda Williams voted against the change for different reasons, from calling it a political move to expressing discomfort with directing the police chief on policy.
In a separate vote, the council voted 7-2 for other changes directed toward immigrants and refugees. DiCiccio and Waring voted no.
The changes included an affirmation that Phoenix will not participate in the federal 287(g) program to deputize local police officers for immigration enforcement. The Police Department also will develop policies to collect better data on Phoenix’s compliance with SB 1070, which the ACLU of Arizona had previously recommended.
Also, police will work with local school districts to improve student trust with officers who work there through the School Resource Officer Program.
Finally, the city’s Community and Economic Development Department will take the lead on a workforce development program for refugees focusing on English language programs and recertification for refugees with advanced degrees and work experience.
A city webpage will host information on refugee resources and programs for other people who may be affected by the executive orders.
No members of the public spoke against the changes. But council members questioned the practical impacts.
The police chief has the authority to change police orders, and Jeri Williams said nothing has changed yet. She said she is reviewing the order and that the department aims to make victims and witnesses comfortable talking to police.
The changes would not fulfill the ask of sanctuarycity supporters who want Phoenix to end cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Waring said he didn’t understand what the update would accomplish.
“I think we’re doing this for political reasons more than any kind of practical issue,” Waring said.
Councilwoman Kate Gallego, though, said the policies signal Phoenix is a welcoming community. “We’re taking important steps today,” she said. Petra Falcon, executive director of Promise Arizona, said the group wanted Phoenix to become a sanctuary city. Promise Arizona is also part of a broader swath of organizations called the We Are All America Phoenix Coalition that gave the city input on how else to help vulnerable communities.
She said the changes Wednesday are a positive step, but that Phoenix needs to continue the conversation.
“It’s not enough because there are still things that need to be dealt with,” she said.