Tensions between Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Trump White House have been building in recent months, especially since the first week of March. Today, we learned that the administration is planning Massachusetts to be the site of its next nationwide immigration enforcement operation. The plan involves mass arresting immigrants in the state and deporting them. This action is a direct attack on “sanctuary cities.” The conception driving the Trump administration’s crackdown on these cities is that they protect criminals and jeopardize public safety.
That’s why Mayor Wu recently testified before Congress with three other Democratic mayors to defend Boston’s immigration policies. She emphasized the city’s commitment to community safety and policing, stating, “Our progress is the result of decades of community policing and partnership between local law enforcement and community leaders, who share a commitment to making Boston a safe and welcoming home for everyone.”
In preparation for the possible deployment of a federal national guard, Wu’s administration had been bracing for federal action since at least December. The operation is expected to take several weeks. It continues the Trump administration’s ongoing attack on the immigration agenda, targeting immigrants who were out of custody even though ICE agents tried to arrest them.
Wu has been smartly aggressive in making sure her city’s policies are defended. So did she, even sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. In this letter, she articulated her administration’s stance on immigration and expressed concern about the implications of federal actions on local communities.
“To ensure people know what’s happening and that this is not something that is needed or wanted or legally sound,” – Michelle Wu
Todd Lyons, the recently appointed acting ICE director, has previously reacted to this heightened scrutiny by the Trump administration. He reiterated the agency’s desire to get dangerous people off the streets. He claimed that sanctuary policies like those advocated by Wu “not only attract and harbor criminals but place these public safety threats above the interests of law-abiding American citizens.”
Time will tell, but the mood is still very charged. Wu’s administration is currently working to review legal precedents and work closely with community members to minimize the effects of federal enforcement actions. From the smallest neighborhood to the highest peaks, Boston touts its pride as a “safe and welcoming home for all.” The continuing national immigration crackdown could soon put this reputation at risk.
So just as the Trump administration intensifies its war on sanctuary cities, Chicago gets ready to face down more deportation raids too. Local leaders from both cities are gearing up for what could come if the feds do take action. So do they believe these actions help or harm democracy, community safety and trust.