City, state leaders and police say they won’t help with Trump deportation plan

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants when he takes office. As a result, city and state leaders in “sanctuary” regions are being asked if they will comply with the Trump administration’s orders.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass and City Attorney Hydee Soto met with immigrant rights groups over the weekend of Nov. 9. The two officials announced plans to fast-track a proposed sanctuary city ordinance aimed at protecting LA residents living in the city illegally.

In a statement, Bass said, “Especially in the face of growing threats to the immigrant communities here in Los Angeles, I stand with the people of this city. This moment demands urgency. Immigrant protections make our communities stronger and our city better.”

Newly sworn-in LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell voiced his support for immigrant protections. McDonnell said his officers would not assist in mass deportations.

“LAPD will protect our immigrant community,” McDonnell said shortly after swearing in. “LAPD officers will not take action to determine a person’s immigration status, and will not arrest someone for their status, and LAPD will not assist with mass deportations.”

In the Midwest, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed their opposition to cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the federal government’s mass deportation efforts.

To the people of Chicago: no matter who is in the White House, our city will always be a place of welcome and inclusivity. Our fight for justice and equality will never waver. pic.twitter.com/CEqjAI0ISZ

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) November 13, 2024

Johnson took to X to emphasize Chicago’s commitment to immigrant communities saying, “To the people of Chicago: No matter who is in the White House, our city will always be a place of welcome and inclusivity. Our fight for justice and equality will never waver.”

“Wе’re gonna defend the people of this city,” Johnson added. “Because look, his attack, let’s be very clear. The president-elect, former President Trump, his threat is not just towards new arrivals and undocumented families. His threats are also against Black families.”

On the East Coast, New York City Mayor Eric Adams made it clear earlier this week that he does not support mass deportations. However, Adams also indicated he is willing to work with the incoming Trump administration to reform the country’s immigration system.

More than half a million undocumented immigrants currently live in New York City.

“I’m not a supporter of mass deportation,” Adams said during a news conference Tuesday, Nov. 12. “I am a supporter of making sure our borders are secure. Whomever is paroled into this country has a pathway to employment so they can provide for themselves. The national government must fix our immigration system so we don’t have thousands of people sitting inside in a hurt of not being able to be employed. This is inhumane!”

President-elect Trump has tapped former ICE Director Tom Homan to lead the border enforcement effort. Homan, who has worked under six presidents, has strongly backed Trump’s immigration plan to secure the border, carry out mass deportations and encourage Congress to fix the immigration system.