Trump Promises to Eliminate Sanctuary Cities ‘Immediately’ if Re-elected

Former President Donald Trump has pledged to eradicate all sanctuary cities in the United States if he wins another term in office. During a Fox News town hall on October 15, 2024, Trump stated that his administration would address sanctuary cities “immediately,” using the Aliens Act of 1798 to enforce federal immigration laws. These cities, which often restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities, are viewed by Trump as “shielding criminals” rather than upholding the rule of law.

Trump’s remarks came after a Georgia voter raised concerns about the murder of Laken Riley, a young nursing student allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant. The former president emphasized that sanctuary cities pose a threat to public safety and promised to take executive action to eliminate these protections swiftly.

Former President Donald Trump pledged to put an end to sanctuary cities for migrants, prohibit biological boys from participating in girls’ sports, and halve energy bills if reelected, at an all-female town hall on Fox News.https://t.co/G5ANyeDE9w

— KSL (@KSLcom) October 17, 2024

Throughout his campaign, Trump has reiterated his stance on immigration reform, committing to a tough approach. His strategy includes presenting a bill to Congress on his first day back in office to ban sanctuary cities nationwide. He has also assured the deployment of federal law enforcement to any city that fails to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating that he would hold these areas responsible for sheltering illegal immigrants.

During a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Trump further explained his plan, announcing that federal law enforcement agents would be dispatched to sanctuary cities immediately upon his White House return. He stressed the necessity of apprehending and deporting criminals, such as drug dealers, gang members, and other violent offenders, whom he believes are shielded by sanctuary city policies.

ABC is accusing Donald Trump of lying about the FEMA response.
Interestingly, an earlier report by them detailed how FEMA allocated 800 million dollars to assist sanctuary cities in covering the high costs of illegal immigration. pic.twitter.com/yzE4l8pcgp

— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) October 9, 2024

Sanctuary cities are localities that enforce policies limiting their collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, such as refusing to surrender illegal immigrants to ICE upon request. According to Trump, these measures foster an unsafe environment, especially in major urban areas. He has criticized Democratic leadership for perpetuating these policies, alleging that many of the country’s largest cities are poorly managed and permit illegal immigrants to engage in crime without consequences.

Trump’s strong stance on sanctuary cities has been a recurring theme throughout his political career, dating back to his initial presidential term. In 2017, he tried to withhold federal funding from sanctuary jurisdictions, although this action faced legal challenges. Now, he is adopting an even more forceful position, pledging to use all means available to compel adherence to federal immigration laws.

The sanctuary city issue has been a focal point in recent years, with high-profile crimes involving illegal immigrants prompting calls for stricter immigration enforcement. Trump has frequently referenced incidents like the killing of Kathryn Steinle, a San Francisco woman murdered by an illegal immigrant in 2015, to justify his approach. He has also drawn comparisons between his proposed measures and the mass deportations carried out under President Dwight Eisenhower, asserting that his plan would surpass even those efforts.

Trump’s commitment to end sanctuary cities aligns with his broader campaign narrative of reinstating law and order, a core element of his 2024 campaign platform. His proposal has garnered strong support from his followers, particularly those who perceive sanctuary cities as undermining public safety. However, the success of Trump’s efforts to implement these changes if re-elected remains uncertain, given the legal and logistical obstacles posed by such extensive reforms.