Phoenix offers thoughtful immigration plan of action
The world at Twitter speed doesn’t leave much space for careful consideration and thoughtful responses. Phoenix bucked that trend with its answer to an impassioned demand to label itself a “sanctuary city.”
Instead of sticking its finger in the federal government’s eye with such a declaration, Phoenix came up with measured recommendations designed to foster good relations between law enforcement and communities targeted by the Trump administration’s deportation frenzy.
The recommendations assure that the city will comply with SB 1070, the state immigration law that outlines expectations for local law-enforcement involvement in immigration actions.
But the city directed Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams to “modernize” operations and look for best practices in other Arizona jurisdictions. Williams says her department wants to make sure victims and witnesses are comfortable with the police. This can make us all safer.
Only predatory criminals benefit when vulnerable people are afraid to report crimes and cooperate with law enforcement.
Despite the rhetoric from Washington, most undocumented immigrants work hard, love their families and do not foster crime. They are, however, vulnerable. They should not fear calling the police.
In addition, the city directed police to work with schools to build student trust. The city will also provide services and information to refugees.
These are specific and concrete steps that will make Phoenix safer by strengthening the relationship between law-abiding people and law enforcement officers, and by helping people succeed.
The Phoenix City Council also made it clear that the city would not participate in the federal 287(g) program that uses local police for immigration enforcement.
What the city did not do was end all cooperation with federal immigration agencies, which would be unrealistic and counterproductive. Nor did Phoenix declare itself a “sanctuary city.”
The definition of that politically charged label is imprecise and subjective. But the politics are unmistakable.
In line with his relentless and misleading attacks on undocumented immigrants, Donald Trump signed an executive order in January vowing sanctions against cities that don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The shorthand? So-called sanctuary cities will lose federal funds. The bottom line? Trump continues to scapegoat migrants, and this order is another bouquet of flowers for his nativist backers.
A federal judge in California is considering a request for an injunction to block that order.
The call more than two months ago for Phoenix to declare itself a sanctuary city was also about symbolism — a different kind of symbolism.
It was a noble effort to make it clear this is a welcoming community. Yet the city was wise to deny that request — and the city’s actions this week showed why.
Phoenix is the capital city of a state that needs to make it clear that our migrant population and our even larger population of citizen Latinos are valued for their contributions to our economic, social and cultural health and wealth.
But in these times of fast jabs and lightning counter punches, embracing a divisive and imprecise label would have been needlessly provocative and distracting.
Phoenix took the time to work on this and found a better way to make an important statement about the city and its people.