The border debate has once again been upended by President Trump’s exploration of a plan to take illegal immigrants nabbed at the U. S.-Mexico…
The border debate has once again been upended by President Trump’s exploration of a plan to take illegal immigrants nabbed at the U. S.-Mexico border and ship them to sanctuary cities for release.
In the abstract, the idea could have relieved some of the pressure on border communities overwhelmed by the surge of illegal immigrants, who are being caught and released onto their streets. But in the hands of Mr. Trump, it has become a tool of political payback, raising questions of legality.
Mr. Trump, in a series of tweets and comments to reporters over the past few days, confirmed that he is considering the move nonetheless. He has suggested that Democrats in Washington have a choice between helping solve the problem at the border or having their home states and districts — which are often the sites of sanctuary cities — become destinations for tens of thousands of migrants a month.
“Democrats must change the Immigration Laws FAST,” Mr. Trump said in a message on Twitter. “If not, Sanctuary Cities must immediately ACT to take care of the Illegal Immigrants — and this includes Gang Members, Drug Dealers, Human Traffickers, and Criminals of all shapes, sizes and kinds.”
At least one sanctuary city leader said to bring it on.
Libby Schaaf, mayor of Oakland, California, said she will welcome anyone.
