Miami-Dade County has shed its sanctuary status in response to President Trump’s executive order. As a result, undocumented immigrants in Miami are now at a higher risk for deportation. The importance of good immigration lawyers is at an all-time high. Due to the new Miami-Dade sanctuary policies, immigrants of any status in Miami should seek out a quality attorney. Immigration lawyers will make sure that you are here to stay. They are trained to combat the new policies. Talk with an attorney today and secure your home.
What are Sanctuary Cities?
First of all, what are sanctuary cities? Sanctuary cities are cities, counties, or states that create policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Sanctuary states include California, Colorado, Connecticut and New Mexico.
On the other hand, Georgia has outlawed sanctuary cities since 2009. In 2016, Georgia implemented further legislation, requiring local governments to abide by federal immigration laws or lose state funding.
Certain policies of sanctuary areas forbid police from asking people about their immigration status. “Sanctuary city” does not carry an exact legal definition. Yet, sanctuary policies come in not only de facto form. Certain sanctuary cities express policies via written law.
In truth, certain leaders of sanctuary cities want illegal immigrants to not fear deportation. They believe this will make the immigrants more willing to report crimes. Furthermore, certain leaders believe these same immigrants will use social welfare and enroll their children in school.
Active Sanctuary Cities
Over 200 jurisdictions in all have denied requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Normally, these are requests to detain persons for deportation. Some groups have denied ICE access to prisons and jails.
The Center for Immigration Studies is a pro-immigration restriction organization. It conducted a report between Jan. 1, 2014 and Sep. 30, 2015. During this time, it found that 300 cities rejected more than 17,000 orders from ICE.
The Fight Against Sanctuary Cities
Republican representatives introduced sanctuary city-targeted legislation in 2007. The first bill proposed making undocumented immigrant status a felony. It is normally a civil offense. The bill also proposed cutting Department of Homeland Security funds to sanctuary cities.
Sanctuary cities were also a heated political topic during the 2008 presidential race. Mitt Romney reproached New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani for allegedly running NYC as a sanctuary city.
More recently, the shooting death of Kathryn Steinle highlighted the issue. An undocumented person shot Ms. Steinle in a sanctuary city, San Francisco.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton weighed in on the incident. Clinton has always defended sanctuary city policy. Despite this, Clinton asserted that it is a state’s mistake not to report an individual that the federal government feels strongly about deporting.
President Trump’s Executive Order
Since President Trump’s election, there’s been much talk about his plans to cut federal grants for sanctuary cities. Trump’s executive order on January 25, 2017, enacted such plans. The order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and Attorney General to defund sanctuary jurisdictions not abiding by federal immigration law.
The president also ordered weekly public reports from the Department of Homeland Security. Reports are supposed to include any criminal actions committed by undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration aims to detain such immigrants.
In essence, The White House will remove funding for areas which do not comply with the recent laws. Trump’s order has caused ripple effects across the nation. The reaction from Miami-Dade County is most noteworthy.
Miami-Dade Sanctuary Policies
As of January 2017, Miami-Dade County commissioners have abandoned the area’s sanctuary status. The county has done away with its policy that the U.S. government pays for the detention of individuals on a federal list. Republican Mayor Carlos Gimenez has ordered jails to fully comply with President Trump’s immigration policy. Gimenez is fearful of losing federal funding.
The population of Miami-Dade is comprised of more than 50% immigrants. Miami-Dade becomes the first major metropolitan area in Florida to abandon sanctuary status. The Miami-Dade sanctuary policies are bound to effect documented immigrants, as well. In other words, Miami-Dade’s recent actions are bound to have a social effect. The policies will increase stigma against immigrants of any status in Miami.
Find an Immigration Attorney
The time is now for undocumented and documented immigrants to secure legal defense. Luckily, immigration lawyers are available. Attorneys can and will fight against impending deportation filings.
The new Miami-Dade sanctuary policies show the influence of the Trump Administration. Moving forward, these policies may lead other counties to follow suit.On the other hand, certain areas have strengthened their stance in opposition. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman declared his city a sanctuary city in February. Kriseman declared that police officers in St. Petersburg will not question about immigration status.
On the other hand, certain areas have strengthened the opposite stance. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman declared his city a sanctuary city in February. Kriseman declared that police officers in St. Petersburg will not question about immigration status.
This is certainly not the case in Miami. A city that was once considered a haven for immigrants has turned its back on 50% of its population. Immigration lawyers are now especially relevant. Talk to a reputed lawyer today. You have built a life in this city, and you are here to stay.