Today, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston and 27 other cities and counties filed additional legal briefs supporting two challenges to the President's Executive Order which called for restricting travel to the United States from six majority-Muslim nations and suspending the refugee program. 

Click here for the full Fourth Circuit brief filed on April 19, 2017.

Click here for the full Ninth Circuit brief filed on April 21, 2017. 

For immediate release: March 17, 2017
Contact: [email protected]  |  @citiesforaction

 CITIES FOR ACTION SHARES LESSONS LEARNED FROM FIRST TRAVEL BAN

Over the past 24 hours, two federal judges have blocked major pieces of the President’s second travel ban from taking effect today. For now, this will allow the refugee program to continue and prevent the unjust detention of travelers from the six Muslim-majority nations targeted by President Trump's Executive Order.

Cities for Action will continue to monitor the litigation and prepare city governments in developing robust rapid response plans in the case those measures are needed. Today, Cities for Action released a case study analysis on cities’ responses to the impact of the President’s Executive Order that enacted the first travel ban in January 2017. The report highlights responses at airports in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia and outlines lessons learned from these cases for future rapid response efforts. Here are our lessons learned:

1. Protestors, advocates and families across the country brought widespread attention to the ban.

2. Customs officials had to wait for instructions from D.C., so detainees’ families received little information.

3. Local officials helped families and their attorneys get more clarity from the federal government.

4. Advocates and officials on social media spread information about the detainees at airports across the country.”

Click here to read the full report.

Created in 2014, Cities for Action is a coalition of 150 mayors and county executives working for stronger and safer cities through immigrant inclusive policies and programs. Cities for Action members are committed to driving the national debate on immigration policies and integrating immigrants through best practices at the municipal level.

For more information on the actions cities are taking, visit www.citiesforaction.us

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For Immediate Release: March 6, 2017
Contact: [email protected]

STATEMENT FROM CITIES FOR ACTION ON THE PRESIDENT'S NEW TRAVEL BAN EXECUTIVE ORDER

The following statement can be attributed to Cities for Action: 

“Cities for Action unequivocally opposed the President’s initial travel ban executive order, and we will do the same with the Administration’s latest action. These fear-based policies do not reflect American values and will only undermine our national security. Our cities and counties are safer and stronger because of refugees and immigrants, not in spite of them. As always, we will act in the best interest of our cities, counties, and country, by promoting policies and programs that aim to support and integrate immigrants."

Created in 2014, Cities for Action is a coalition of 150 mayors and county executives working for stronger and safer cities through immigrant inclusive policies and programs. Cities for Action members are committed to driving the national debate on immigration policies and integrating immigrants through best practices at the municipal level.

For more information on the actions cities are taking, visit www.citiesforaction.us

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For Immediate Release: February 17, 2017
Contact:  [email protected] | @citiesforaction

34 Cities and Counties Sign On in Darweesh v. Trump Amicus Brief in the Eastern District of New York to challenge the President’s Executive Order on the Travel Restrictions from Seven Muslim-Majority Countries

Signatory Cities & Counties Represent 23 Million People Nationwide

Amicus Brief Filing Here: http://bit.ly/EDNYamicus  

New York – Cities for Action announced today that 34 cities and counties, representing 23 million people, filed a local government amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs in Darweesh v. Trump. The brief challenges the President’s Executive Order limiting travel from the seven Muslim-majority countries and seeks a continued hold on enforcement of the President’s Executive Order. The amici cities argue that a lift on the hold would deeply harm millions of residents by interfering with local economies, immigrant integration and public safety efforts.

Created in 2014, Cities for Action is a coalition of mayors and county executives working for stronger and safer cities through immigrant inclusive policies and programs. Cities for Action members are committed to driving the national debate on immigration policies and integrating immigrants through best practices at the municipal level.

Mayors’ statements in support include:

Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan 
“As the Capital of the great state of New York, the City of Albany, a sanctuary city, welcomes individuals of all religions and nationalities, and the United States should be no different. Individuals should feel comfortable contacting local law enforcement when they are the victim of a crime, regardless of their immigration status, however the President’s travel ban creates fear and threatens the safety of every resident and visitor.  It is imperative that cities across the nation unite to protect our residents and ensure their safety, and joining this amicus brief is an example of that.”

Austin Mayor Steve Adler
“I just want the immigrant and refugee community in Austin to know that we are a welcoming and supportive community and that they are an important part of it.  The world can completely lose its mind and we’re still going to be Austin, Texas.” 

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown
“In opposing enforcement of the administration’s Executive Order, the City of Buffalo is continuing its commitment to equality, religious freedom and respect for individuals’ rights. Our City’s burgeoning refugee and immigrant communities are an integral part of Buffalo’s social, economic and academic fabric. These new Americans are driving the City of Buffalo’s revitalization, and today we stand with cities across the nation to preserve the American dream for all people.”

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel
“The President’s actions are a shameful betrayal of our fundamental American values. This is a moment when we have to stand up for our values, stand tall for the voiceless and stand together as one nation to say enough is enough. While I am pleased that the courts have placed a temporary halt to this unlawful Executive Order, the City of Chicago chose to make its views known to the courts, joining the legal fight to ensure that this country remains a welcoming beacon of hope to innocent refugees who seek to escape the life-threatening horrors of war and to hardworking, law-abiding immigrants who seek a better life.”

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin
“We are confident - confident in our Constitution, confident in our legal position, confident in our diverse immigrant community. We are confident in our efforts to thwart the chaos, foolishness and cruelty fostered by President Trump.”  

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp
“Quite honestly, one of the worst things to come out of Washington in recent days is the chilling effect this new Administration has had on a growing segment of this community. It’s my opinion that increasing fear among a wider swath of New Haven residents does more harm in this community than violations of immigration law.”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
“The President’s ban violates both our Constitution and the values we hold dear. Americans of all stripes should be alarmed that religious liberties and Constitutional rights have been taken hostage by the White House. We will do everything in our power to fight back and stand up for the rights of all people.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
“President Trump's Executive Order sends a message of fear and uncertainty throughout our city that stands in direct contrast to Philadelphia's openness to people of all faiths and nationalities. We are joining in the amicus brief with other U.S. cities because we must speak out strongly against this Executive Order and any future such orders that run counter to the very principles on which this nation was founded.”

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray
“The stories of immigrant and refugee families are the stories of all our families, whether we arrived here last year or last century. President Trump's Executive Order threatens to rip families apart, and the actions of ICE in recent weeks have suggested the Trump Administration will continue targeting families in our communities. Removing people from their homes and instilling fear does not help our security, and it hurts our economy. It is a show of hostility toward all of us – these are our friends, co-workers, neighbors and family. We are taking the legal action necessary to stop this and future Executive Orders that aim to target any person based on their religion and we will remain a welcoming city that stands with everyone in our community."

Additionally, the brief argues that there would be significant costs for cities’ economies and the livelihood of immigrant families if the hold on the President’s Executive Orders were to be lifted. For example:

• Immigrants make up a significant number of the workforce in our cities. Over 960,000 in Los Angeles, 184,100 in San Francisco; 108,000 in Philadelphia; and 51,000 in Portland.
• Nearly 800,000 individuals born in the seven Muslim majority countries affected by the Executive Orders live in American cities. Amici cities are also home to tens of thousands of refugees.
• Tourism, a huge segment of amici cities’ economies, would be harmed by the travel ban. In 2015, San Francisco had over 24 million tourists, generating $9 billion in spending and sustaining over 76,500 jobs. That same year, Los Angeles had 50 million tourists, including 6.7 million international visitors, visitors who alone generated $6.3 billion in spending; and Chicago had more than 51 million tourists that generated $14.8 billion in spending and sustained more than 178,000 jobs. New York City has about 60 million visitors per year, including 12.3 million international tourists, generating $42.2 billion in direct spending. 
• International and foreign born students topped one million in the past academic year. Medical facilities, local governments, and public universities all rely on personnel from other countries.

Cities and counties that signed on to the amicus brief include the following:

ALBANY, NY;

AUSTIN, TX;

BUFFALO, NY;

CHICAGO, IL;

GARY, IN;

ITHACA, NY;

JERSEY CITY, NJ;

LOS ANGELES, CA;

MADISON, WI;

MINNEAPOLIS, MN;

NASHVILLE, TN;

NEW HAVEN, CT;

NEW YORK CITY, NY;

OAKLAND, CA;

PATERSON, NJ;

PHILADELPHIA, PA;

PLAINFIELD, NJ;

PORTLAND, OR;

PROVIDENCE, RI;

ROCHESTER, NY;

SANTA MONICA, CA;

SEATTLE, WA;

SCHENECTADY, NY;

SOMERVILLE, MA;

SOUTH BEND, IN;

SYRACUSE, NY;

TRENTON, NJ;

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA;

AND YONKERS, NY;

THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CA;

THE TOWN OF CARRBORO, NC;

THE BOROUGHS OF HALEDON, NJ AND PRINCETON, NJ;

THE VILLAGE OF SKOKIE, IL

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2017
Contact: [email protected] 

STATEMENT FROM CITIES FOR ACTION ON THE PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS 

The following statement can be attributed to Cities for Action:

“Today’s executive orders do not change who we are or how we govern our cities, and we will fight against attempts to undermine our values and the security of our cities. Representing cities and counties across the country, we are united in our commitment to remain inclusive cities, providing for the public safety of all. As mayors and county executives nationwide have made clear today, we will continue to provide for all in our communities—regardless of where they come from—and work to continue building trust between city residents and law enforcement.” 

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C4A Mayors made statements this week, reacting to the President's executive orders that included:

Atlanta, GA Mayor Kasim Reed
“Atlanta is proud to be a welcoming city. We are a community which has stood up for the civil and human rights of every person, and we will not waver now. Atlanta is the leading cultural and economic center of the Southeast precisely because of our legacy of inclusion. My administration is determined to use the full strength of that position to lead with policies that uphold and enhance the civil rights of all our residents, because any threat to our constitutionally guaranteed liberty is a threat to all Atlantans. Our city stands together. We believe the President’s executive orders violate the principles of the U.S. Constitution. We believe these orders promote dangerous public policy, eroding trust between public safety agencies and the communities they serve, which will undermine public safety in the City of Atlanta and nationwide. We believe the courts will agree. As Mayor, I pledge that Atlanta city government will stand firm in its commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and will remain open and welcoming to all.”

Austin, TX Mayor Steve Adler
"Austin is one of the safest cities in the country partly because we listen to our police chief and our sheriff, and they tell us that the voluntary and warrantless ICE detainer program would make us less safe. Withholding money from cities that do not comply with this voluntary program asks cities how much money they'd take to sacrifice their safety, and our safety is not for sale.”

Birmingham, AL Mayor William A. Bell Sr.
“We are deeply disappointed in the actions of the President today. Our country is built on the backs of immigrants. The very fabric of our nation is predicated on the welcoming and empowering spirit of all Americans and the idea that coming to the United States meant working to build a life of opportunity. Our hope in Birmingham as the cradle of the civil rights movement is that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated today.”

Boston, MA Mayor Martin J. Walsh
"I am deeply disturbed by today's news. We will not back down from our values that make us who we are as a city. We will fight for our residents, whether immigrant or not, and provide the best quality of life for all Bostonians. I will use all of my power within lawful means to protect all Boston residents -- even if that means using City Hall itself as a last resort.”

Carborro, NC Mayor Lydia Lavelle
“Carrboro, North Carolina prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive community. We have many immigrant residents who contribute greatly to the spirit and fabric of our town. As town officials, we are committed to looking out for the safety of all of our residents, and we resolve to continue lawfully and compassionately doing so.”

Chicago, IL Mayor Rahm Emmanuel
“Chicago is going to stay a sanctuary city. There is no stranger among us. We welcome people — whether you’re from Poland or Pakistan, whether you’re from Ireland or India or Israel and whether you’re from Mexico or Moldavia where my grandfather came from. You are welcome in Chicago as you pursue the American dream.”

Denver, CO Mayor Michael B. Hancock
“Denver, and cities across the country, have continually looked to and asked for Washington to act on comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, that’s not what we saw today. Instead, communities and families will now be penalized for the Federal Government’s failure to act. The executive orders signed today put our economic security as a nation at risk, and I am deeply disappointed.”

Hempstead, NY Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr.
"President Trump's recent executive orders go against the moral fiber with which our great nation was built, and I wholeheartedly support New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio and countless other Mayors throughout the United States in denouncing these acts. The Village of Hempstead has a vibrant, diverse heritage that brings us together in a rich cultural tapestry, and I vow to protect all Village residents—regardless of race, religion or country of origin. As the son of immigrant parents, I have personally witnessed the strength created by a diverse culture of inclusiveness. As Mayor, I have done everything within my power to advocate for all of our residents and ensure that everyone, regardless of citizenship status, has the same opportunities for success.  I, Mayor DeBlasio and leaders from many other communities throughout the country will work together to oppose these executive orders and protect the rights of all people."

Houston, TX Mayor Sylvester Turner
“I know there are a lot of families and children who are afraid and worried right now about what might happen to them. I want them to know that Houston is, and always has been, a welcoming city, where we value and appreciate diversity. HPD is not the Immigration Customs Enforcement. We don’t profile, and we are not going to start profiling people to determine whether they are here illegally. It hasn’t happened under previous mayors, and it will not happen under my administration.”

Jersey City, NJ Mayor Steven Fulop
"We intend to stand by our principles and values as a city. Jersey City was founded as a city of immigrants, and we are unwilling to be part of orders that break families apart or harm immigrants who are in this country."

Long Beach, CA Mayor Robert Garcia
"Long Beach is and will always remain a city that welcomes and supports all people. This country is a nation of immigrants, built by a love of country, family, and community. We are at our best when we treat each other with respect and kindness. We will stand up for all Americans - including hard working immigrants -because that's what makes Long Beach, and America, great."

Los Angeles, CA Mayor Eric Garcetti
“An open, welcoming, and compassionate spirit is not just an ideal that we try to live up to — it's part of the American character. Those are our values in Los Angeles, and we intend to preserve them no matter what happens in Washington, D.C. The safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works in, and visits L.A. will always be our number-one priority. The idea that we do not cooperate with the federal government is simply at odds with the facts. We regularly cooperate with immigration authorities — particularly in cases that involve serious crimes — and always comply with constitutional detainer requests. What we don’t do is ask local police officers to enforce federal immigration laws — and that’s an official LAPD policy that has been enforced for nearly 40 years. That is for everyone’s good, because trust between police and the people they serve is absolutely essential to effective law enforcement. Everyone in L.A. should feel safe stepping forward if they have witnessed a crime or been victimized themselves — and immigration status shouldn’t interfere with the cooperation and partnership we need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Madison, WI Mayor Paul Soglin
“The City of Madison will not waver in defending the rights of our people to protect the rights of everyone within our jurisdiction regardless of status. We will not use our local police department to enforce federal immigration laws. The trust between our police department and the people we serve is more important than our violating the constitution and improperly detaining individuals. If we should stop someone for a traffic violation or a misdemeanor, we have no right to compromise their freedom, to detain them, without a lawful court order. We will continue to operate as we have been which is consistent with our fundamental values as a city.”

Montgomery County, MD Executive Isiah Leggett & County Leaders
“Montgomery County is committed to building and maintaining a safe and inclusive community for our residents. Understanding, tolerance, and respect are hallmarks of the Montgomery County way. Social justice for all is what we strive to achieve in our County. We greatly regret the anxiety that has been stoked among many in our community as a result of the President’s Executive Orders. We issue this statement to assure all of our residents that those orders will not change the way that County police officers or County workers interact with the public and will not impact how we provide social services.”

New Haven, CT Mayor Toni N. Harp
“Throughout its history this nation has been a beacon to those who flee oppression and persecution – who seek freedom and opportunity instead; this rash act by a new President seems completely contrary to that ideal. New Haven, one of some 300 ‘sanctuary’ cities, counties, and states nationwide, will continue to embrace residents arriving from wherever they used to live, will work to make them feel welcome and safe, and will act to protect its ability to do so.”

New Orleans, LA Mayor Mitch Landreiu
"The City of New Orleans is a welcoming city, and we will continue to be a place whose racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity contribute to our growing economy, rich culture, resilience, and commitment to equity and inclusion. The NOPD is focused on arresting those who commit violent crimes, not enforcing civil immigration laws. We will continue to do the work we are entrusted with by the people of New Orleans and remain focused on keeping our city and her citizens safe. This makes us safer because it increases trust between the community and law enforcement. Those who commit a crime will be arrested - political theatrics have no bearing on the serious work at hand. Lastly, the NOPD will not be coerced into joining Trump’s deportation army via the 287(g) program. Doing so would require the NOPD to pull officers focused on fighting crime off the street."

New Rochelle, NY Mayor Noam Bramson
“The term “sanctuary city” has no precise definition, and we do not use it in New Rochelle, but we do make absolutely clear that all people of good will are welcomed, valued, and respected in our community, regardless of their origins, and that immigrants are an essential part of New Rochelle’s identity and future.
For our Police Department, maintaining a respectful and mutually supportive relationship with all constituencies in New Rochelle is not just the right thing to do, it is also necessary to the promotion of public safety, which depends on trust and the free flow of information. That is why local police departments are not and should not engage in immigration enforcement – and our practices in New Rochelle reflect and support this principle.
Of course, the New Rochelle Police Department will continue coordinating with federal authorities to apprehend and bring to justice criminals who threaten our safety, regardless of their immigration status.”

New York City, NY Mayor Bill de Blasio
"The president's executive order runs contrary to our values, but the stroke of a pen does not change the people of New York City. We are not going to deport law-abiding New Yorkers. We will not tear families apart. We will not leave children without their parents.
We are not going to undermine the progress the NYPD has made over a quarter century. We believe we are on solid ground for a legal challenge to the executive order should the occasion arise."

Philadelphia, PA Mayor Jim Kenney
“Philadelphia is at the lowest crime rate we've had in 40 years, in no small part because of all our police department has done to strengthen police-community relations. So all of this assertion that somehow sanctuary cities are dangerous places are simply untrue. Our immigrant population is not the source of crime. They are often the victims of crime or the witnesses to crime and driving them underground does not make the city safer - it only serves to destroy the community trust our police department has worked so hard to build. If the federal government obtains a warrant for an individual and asks us to hold them, we will comply. But to have somebody picked up for traffic violations and held for 72 hours against their will without a warrant or charges, to me, flies in the face of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. And punishing cities for trying to effectively police our own communities and for acting constitutionally is wrong.”

Phoenix, AZ Mayor Greg Stanton
“Today the president unleashed a divisive attack on Latinos in Phoenix and around the country. 
The president’s executive orders will not make us safer, but instead will incite fear and chaos for Latinos and immigrants alike. But be assured: We will fight the federal government’s attempt to turn the Phoenix Police Department into a mass deportation force. Building a wall will only tear our economy down and damage relationships with Mexico that today support 100,000 Arizona jobs. Despite today’s unsettling news – and with the anticipation of more harmful policies to come from this Administration – Phoenix will remain a welcoming and diverse city that strives every day to treat residents with dignity and respect, no matter who you are, who you love or where you come from.”

Pittsburgh, PA Mayor William Peduto
"The residents of Pittsburgh stand tonight with cities all across our nation. Pittsburgh was built by immigrants, who came to our city to find work in our steel mills and who forged a better life for their families. Like my grandparents, they came to America for opportunity, and they built America. We stand on their shoulders, and we owe it to them to preserve opportunities for current and future generations. Just as our past was built by immigrants, so too will be our future. Let's be clear: the President's executive order will not make us safer. It will not advance the principles upon which our nation and our cities were founded. It will further divide us as a city and as a nation. Pittsburgh joins tonight with other cities across the country and we stand ready to fight this unprecedented and this unconstitutional act. We will resist, with all powers at our disposal, any attempt to commandeer our local law enforcement officers into a national deportation army. Pittsburgh is, has been, and always will be a welcoming city and a diverse city. It's in our nature. We are a tough city, a blue collar city and a city with a big heart. We will continue to show everyone the respect and compassion they deserve - regardless of who they are, where they're from, who they love or how they found their way to our beloved city."

Providence, RI Mayor Jorge Elorza
“Today’s executive orders do not change what we believe here in Providence. We were founded on the principles of freedom and tolerance, we have always been a city of immigrants coming together to build something amazing. We will continue to maintain our current policy and continue to stand with our residents, regardless of race, place of birth or religion. We will not allow fear and intimidation to change what we believe and we will stand today, tomorrow and throughout the next four years, with every resident of Providence.”

Salt Lake City, UT Mayor Jackie Biskupski
“Confusion is no way to govern, and fear is no way to police. In cities and communities across the nation, including Salt Lake City, President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration has created both. Many local leaders and police chiefs have been left wondering what the Executive Order means for our communities. Worse, many in our immigrant, refugee, and multi-cultural populations are in fear for themselves and their loved ones. While we spend time working through what the Executive Order means for Salt Lake City, I want to be clear on our fundamental beliefs and values and where we operate from today. Salt Lake City is a welcoming community and our police department is an agency charged with protecting the residents of this city, not enforcing federal immigration policy. The Salt Lake City Police Department has a longstanding practice against officers inquiring about the immigration status of those they come in contact with on a day-to-day basis. This practice is central to our community-policing model and will remain unchanged.”

San Francisco, CA Mayor Edwin Lee
“Now is the time for our cities and residents to take care of one another and remain strong in light of the efforts to divide us. We cannot allow for threats and politics to foster mistrust between our neighbors. If what President Trump truly wants is a safer America, then we must continue to fight for and urge Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”

San Jose, CA Mayor Sam Liccardo
“Nothing about the President's executive order will change how San Jose cops police our city. The San Jose Police Department’s longstanding policies relating to immigration enforcement are critical to keeping our community safe. Our police officers must focus their scarce time responding to and investigating violent, predatory and other high-priority crimes – not the enforcement of federal tax laws, federal securities laws, or federal immigration laws. There’s a broad consensus among major city police 
chiefs that having local officers meddle in federal immigration enforcement undermines public safety, and diminishes community trust. We need to ensure that all residents feel comfortable calling 911, reporting crimes, coming forward as witnesses, and testifying in court to help us keep criminals off the street."

Santa Fe, NM Mayor Javier M. Gonzales
“There is no executive order that will ever change the values of inclusivity that have helped our city thrive for more than 400 years, and today’s directive is no exception. We will not retreat from our policy, we are confident in our standing, and we are prepared to fight because we know that welcoming the remnants of a broken federal system is both morally and economically the right thing to do.”

Syracuse, NY Mayor Stephanie Miner
“The resources of the City of Syracuse, including the Syracuse Police Department, are not being used to enforce federal anti-immigrant policies nor are they empowered to do so. We do not intend to change this practice and will scrutinize any proposed changes at the federal level thoroughly. I pledge we will continue Syracuse’s commitment to our New American residents, building the trust and relationships our neighbors deserve and continue to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Syracuse is now and always will be a City that bids you welcome.”

Travis County, TX Judge Sarah Eckhardt
“Place of birth alone is no indication that a person is a threat to public safety under the criminal laws of Texas or is in violation of immigration laws of the U.S. Under both Texas and U.S. Constitutions, jailers and immigration agents do not determine probable cause to detain a person. Only a judge can make that determination. It’s called a warrant. We must resist those who seek to punish communities that uphold the 4th Amendment prohibition on unwarranted detainer by withdrawing funding for programs that help women, children and veterans. Further, we must not give in to those who engage in the politics of fear at the expense of our deepest held values.”

West Hollywood, CA Mayor Lauren Meister
“In West Hollywood, we treat people — all people — with respect, dignity, and thoughtfulness. President Trump’s executive actions to target sanctuary cities are reprehensible. The West Hollywood City Council has reaffirmed its core values and we have declared that our city will remain a sanctuary city. We will not participate in efforts to deport immigrants living or working in the City.”

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2017
Contact: [email protected]  |  @citiesforaction 

STATEMENT FROM MAYORS AND COUNTY EXECUTIVES ON OUR COMMITMENT TO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

The following statement can be attributed to Cities for Action, a national coalition of over 100 mayors and county executives in support of immigrant inclusion: 

Over the past two years, more than 100 cities and counties have advocated for inclusive immigration policies and programs. Our cities and counties - representing over 55 million people across the country – are leveraging our resources and power to push for the changes our communities deserve. As we transition to a new presidential administration, Cities for Action mayors and county executives renew their commitment to driving the national debate, embracing new immigrants, and engaging with stakeholders to win on immigration policies.

Select accomplishments by Cities for Action in 2016 include:

Calling on the Administration to review TPS designations

Mayors and county leaders in the coalition called upon the administration to review Temporary Protected Status designations, especially for immigrants who could not return safely to their countries of origin. DHS announced on 1/4/17 that the Secretary of Homeland Security would re-designate Yemen for TPS and on 1/17/17 would re-designate Somalia for TPS.

Proposing Steps the Administration could take to protect DACA recipients

Cities for Action members submitted a letter to the administration to take additional steps to support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and to protect the privacy of their information. The Secretary of Homeland Security, on 1/3/17, declared the importance of maintaining the privacy of the data and not using it for enforcement purposes.

Calling on the Administration to dismantle the NSEERS program

Members of Cities for Action led a call with the White House to ask the administration, amongst several issues, to end the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System program. On 12/22/16, the Administration ended the failed program.

Filing Amicus Briefs in support of the President’s executive actions

Cities for Action filed amicus briefs in support of the President’s executive actions at every stage of the U.S. v Texas litigation. 118 mayors and county leaders – representing 55 million people - ultimately signed onto and filed a friend-of-the-court amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Leading a Webinar on Community-based Immigration Legal Services

Cities for Action hosted a webinar on the most important learnings from the ActionNYC program, a citywide community-based immigration legal services initiative designed to provide New Yorkers with immigration legal services in neighborhoods where they live in the languages they speak. The webinar was followed by the release of the ActionNYC toolkit to provide information to other cities planning and implementing legal services initiatives.

­Statement on ICE Raids

Cities for Action members unequivocally voiced our concerns about reported ICE raids and committed to work with service providers and city services to provide the representation that immigrants deserve.

IN previous years, Cities for Action led crucial efforts to fight back against anti-sanctuary city legislation which would have threatened federal funding to cities and millions of dollars of community development and criminal justice funding. Cities for Action also hosted a municipal ID convening and supported several cities in the development of their municipal IDs.

Cities for Action will continue to advocate for changes to immigration policies at the federal level. We will also implement programs and further strengthen our work and relationships with non-governmental organizations and community based organizations. Our cities are powerful because of our diversity and unity. We will continue to protect and serve all the people we represent. 

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