The City Council today voted unanimously to keep Boston's sanctuary-city status and remind city departments not to help any federal "civil immigration enforcement" efforts, including the incoming federal administration's announced plans to set up concentration camps for immigrants before they are booted out of the country.
The vote came on a resolution in support of the city's Trust Act, first passed in 2014 and amended in 2019.
Councilors emphasized the measure does not cover local participation with federal criminal investigations - such as those into human trafficking or weapons trafficking - but are instead a way to protect Boston's immigrant residents. If anything, councilors said, the Trust Act can help fight crime by ensuring all residents feel comfortable talking to police about criminal activity they might have witnessed or know about.
Boston "has long been a beacon of hope and opportunity for immigrants," Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who proposed the resolution, said.
"Boston is a city of immigrants," Councilor Julia Mejia (at large) said. "Our city thrives because of the contributions of people from across the world. ... Boston will not stand for policies that divide families, that tear communities apart or perpetuate fear."
Councilor Gabrila Coletta Zapata (East Boston, North End, Charlestown), said the measure means immigrants "don't have to live in fear of being unjust scrutinized or even ripped away from their families." She praised Boston Police in general, and District A-7 (East Boston) and Capt. Dean Bickerton in particular, for their support of immigrant communities. She said Bickerton even attended "Know Your Rights" meetings in East Boston during the first Trump administration.
Councilor Benjamin Weber (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury), an attorney, said courts have determined that the obscure Tenth Amendment - which grants states any powers not elaborated in the Constitution - actually has an "anti-commandeering" doctrine that bars the federal government from forcing state or local agencies to do its bidding, such as helping in immigrant roundups.
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Comments
What happens next?
By BostonDog
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 2:41pm
Trump and cronies have said that they intend to force sanctuary cities to comply by withholding federal funding, grants, etc.
The court and/or congress might intervene but that's not a given and the funds might be held up for years regardless. (Assuming they follow through on the threat.)
So what is the Council's and Wu's position if maintaining this position means losing a major source of funding?
Congress - Holds the Purse
By John Costello
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 3:16pm
Mass. Delegation - You want that new bridge to access your cousin's 1,800 unit subdivision in Greater Houston Republican Congressperson?
Then back off on denying school lunches for kids from Haiti staying in a hotel in West Springfield.
That's how it will work.
It's likely going to be a lot worse than that
By Pete X
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 5:46pm
Our city and state, at least, is not complying in advance with a fascist administration, but I suspect the Trumpers will be true to their campaign rhetoric and go as far as sending in the national guard. They don't give a sh*t about what congress does or doesn't do with its three seat majority.
Whose national guard?
By lbb
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 9:25am
Whose national guard are they going to send?
Ours
By BostonDog
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:45am
The president can nationalize the guard.
Province of New England
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:57pm
Has a nice ring to it.
We pay way too much in federal taxes to put up with this shit.
Like we will be getting our federal money back anyway? LOL! We are on HRM Drumpf's Naughty List for failing to kiss his ass already.
Communities Act
By robo
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 8:38pm
Everything you said is true about the Communities act too - if not in compliance you lose out on state grants. And you’re totally ok with it too, right?
Weston just unanimously (essentially) voted down to be in compliance with the Communities Act. That’d be A LOT of MA income tax lost especially if you include Milton too.
I don’t know if there’s
By Frelmont
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 10:25pm
I don’t know if there’s anything in the Ma Constitution that stays the iron brahmin fist of the Communities Act from commanding the economies and stymieing the self-determination of towns.
The MA Constitution
By necturus
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 9:40am
...says this is a "free, sovereign, and independent body politic, or state by the name of 'THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS' ".
It's also older (1780) than the federal constitution (1787).
So, I say we tell Trump to f**k off and die.
Misquoting Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett sending a memorandum..
By Don't Panic
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 2:19am
To: Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council Members
Re: Sanctuary-City status
'Buckle up, Buttercups'.
/s
Not as original or snappy as her 6B question to the Oversight Committee chairman James Comer which totally blew his mind. He was absolutely flabbergasted.
City Council
By James Roddy
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 2:46pm
Any other news from our beloved Plutocracy?
Why didn't we win the Presidency The House and The Senate ?
By StillFromDorchester
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 4:22pm
Boston City Council and Mayor Wu .... hold my beer.
Uh
By Pete X
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:07pm
Are you saying "we" lost the election because we weren't cruel enough to desperate humans looking for a safe place to live for their families?
Interpret it however you like
By StillFromDorchester
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:13pm
When the "Law" is Inhumane
By Pete X
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:37pm
The only human thing to do is to break the law.
Would you vote to abolish immigration laws?
By StillFromDorchester
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:44pm
That's a big step
Not Necessarily
By Pete X
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:47pm
But I would vote to change our stupid and cruel immigration system that has remained in stasis since the 2000's so republicans can use it as a wedge issue.
What happened to this year's bill for immigration enfocement?
By tachometer
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 7:13pm
Oh, that's right. Trump got his sycophants in the House to kill it because he only cares about immigration when it comes to getting votes, but doesn't actually give a shit about improving the current system.
Nobody's talking about abolishing immigration laws unless they're GOPers completely misrepresenting their political opposition.
Not to worry @tachometer
By Don't Panic
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 2:33am
President-Elect Trump has the concept of a plan for immigration enforcement. ;)
We lost out of the sheer
By Frelmont
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:20pm
We lost out of the sheer arrogance assuming Republicans would vote to disenfranchise themselves and more importantly the body of Democrats would continue to vote to disenfranchise ourselves and allow the anti-democratic, anti-liberal, antisemitic, anti-reason and anti-Western fringe to dictate social, domestic and foreign policy.
Not "we" for you, Trump Bot
By Pete X
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:36pm
You're just a shill who constantly types baseless right wing talking points under the completely ridiculous claim that you're a democrat.
Also, again, f*ck you for calling jews like me and Bernie Sanders anti-semitic.
It is what it is.
By Frelmont
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 10:29pm
It is what it is.
My knowing we would lose the White House went from an inkling to a cold certainty when the Biden-Harris Administration signaled its spiritual divorce from Israel on the day after 10/7 by not lowering the flag for the murdered Americans tacitly laying the blame with Israel and giving succor and legitimacy to Hamas and her sympathizers on our soil. The messaging instructions transmitted down the Democratic phone tree from on high down to local school superintendents to offer cynical, empty mouthing of “I stand with Israel” and “Israel has a right to defend herself” while remaining mute on the immorality of the act impeached the leadership of my Party entirely and proved there is no moral literacy, nor is there a duty to provide moral leadership. There is common ground to be found, but we’ll see how that goes. It cannot be overstated how moribund the Party is.
P.s., my Party has been led
By Frelmont
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 11:22pm
P.s., my Party has been led to the water bit the ol’ mare ain’t drinkin’.
Damn
By lbb
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 9:27am
My bingo card is missing a square, can you say something about fairness in women's sports?
You ever notice
By Will LaTulippe
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:01am
How it's always "I don't want my daughter competing against a trans woman", and never "Maybe my daughter isn't that good?"
I guess not everyone is an old-school Calvinist Yankee like me.
True.
By Lee
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 11:49am
And maybe let the daughter speak for herself about with who she wants to compete.
plenty of women have spoken for themselves
By deselby
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 2:11pm
Individuals and whole teams have forfeited races and games rather than face biological males.
But...
By lbb
Fri, 12/06/2024 - 10:09am
...those individuals and whole teams aren't going Div I no matter who they play. So they're just being crybabies.
Obsession with kid's parts
By SwirlyGrrl
Fri, 12/06/2024 - 7:31pm
Duly noted.
Have you spoken to your psych about this?
Having fewer trans kids being thrown out of their homes has made for fewer distressed underage people to offer a warm bed.
The thing that everyone's too polite to say
By lbb
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 12:43pm
"Your kid's not going Div I no matter who she plays."
Then I’ll do you the solid of
By Frelmont
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 11:32am
Then I’ll do you the solid of saying Rep. Moulton is right in standing against the coercive bullying of ‘1984’ “newspeak,” undermining the 1st Amendment, debate, reason and tolerance.
P.s., We can do both: we can
By Frelmont
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 11:55am
P.s., We can do both: we can unapologetically support our trans brethren and debate reality, man, freedom and nature.
Nope
By lbb
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 12:46pm
No, no you really can't. Because when you start "debat[ing] reality, man, freedom and nature", we all know where you're headed: to "debating" the right of trans people to occupy a place in society that is equal to yours.
Think about the kind of restrictions that you want to "debate" about trans people. Then apply them to yourself. Ask yourself if you consider it tolerable for other people to be "debating" your basic human rights, and get back to me.
F**k Israel
By necturus
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 9:47am
What have they ever done for us, other than spend our tax dollars to kill their neighbors?
That’s the DNC’s main plank.
By Frelmont
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 11:27am
That’s the DNC’s main plank. Problem is the etiology of the killing is the agenda of their Arab, Iranic (Persian) neighbors (with the indispensable support of the Iranian-Russo-Sino-NK axis.)
When we say “fuck Israel” we are also say fuck all of the blessings of Western societies’ liberties.
Jamie Dimon:
"The risk is extraordinary," he said. "World War III has already begun. You already have battles on the ground being coordinated in multiple countries."
"They are clearly talking about dismantling the system" set in place by the U.S. and its allies after World War II, which Dimon credits as spawning an era of unprecedented global economic growth.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20241...
Birthplace of Jesus.
By Don't Panic
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 1:30pm
Birthplace of Jesus @necturus.
This is insane right wing nonsense.
By Pete X
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:48am
I keep playing the game of trying to figure out if you're lying or stupid, but it's obviously both.
Bad Troll.
An AI language simulator can make you overly verbose, but it can't make you make a lick of sense.
The Judge was just trying to help him be safe
By StillFromDorchester
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:42pm
A sitting Judge Helping a guy wanted for removal from the country escape, is another reason the Election went the way it did, in my opinion People read stuff like that that and all they can do is vote for people who will hopefully stop it.
The Baker-appointed Judge Was Indicted
By Pete X
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:52pm
And now facing charges from a state commission. What more do you want, put her in the stocks?
I was making a point
By StillFromDorchester
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 7:01pm
I'm pointing out people don't want judges like that, and all they can do is vote and hope those they vote for agree
Once Harris got on the Ballot she suddenly disavowed her incredibly lenient view on immigration. coincidence? I don't think so, she knew it wouldn't help her get elected so she changed up, people saw through it,
Ha
By Pete X
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 7:13pm
Everyone has a pet reason why Harris narrowly lost. "She didn't do exactly what I wanted so of course she lost." I doubt her immigration stance moved the needle much, nor do I accept we should settle for persecuting those least able to fight back like immigrants and trans people in order to win votes. We can be better.
My pet reason why Harris lost is because the culture, fed by right wingers running social media and the press, is sick. An informed, rational electorate does not vote for an openly corrupt fascist promising "mass deportations" and concentration camps.
my pet reason harris lost
By bostnkid
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 7:38pm
she’s a fucking dope
Can one be both an empty suit
By Frelmont
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 10:51pm
Can one be both an empty suit and have no clothes?
That’s funny!
By Lee
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 11:51am
Whatever it means.
I know why Harris lost
By necturus
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 9:54am
The media companies created Trump, made him a TV celebrity because he was good for their bottom line.
Then they promoted him as a Presidential candidate, despite Trump being the most unqualified candidate in history, because he was good for their bottom line. Les Moonves of CBS called him "damned good for CBS".
Now, these are the same media companies Democrats needed to get their message to the American people, and, needless to say, that message didn't get through.
Media companies put their bottom lines ahead of the welfare of the American people, and so democracy died on November 5. "Remember, remember, the fifth of November,"
I voted for Chase Oliver
By Will LaTulippe
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:03am
Because Mickey Mouse and the cable company don't decide who the candidates are.
Judge Joseph
By deselby
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 3:55am
She should have been prosecuted. The guy she turned loose through the back door had been deported twice before. He wasn't a refugee facing torture by the Iranian or Israeli governments, he was a Dominican druggie. Migrants or immigrants who become a net drag on American society by criminal activity should be deported.
I saw some whoppers in the past where guys with long criminal records including rape and serious assaults were finally grabbed in court by ICE for deportation after years of predation. Like, how wasn't ICE at the prison gate waiting for him when he finished his sentence for rape?
State and local authorities have no obligation to assist federal authorities in securing the borders or enforcing immigration laws, but neither should they impede or subvert the enforcement of those laws by federal officers. Something local authorities should keep in mind.
Like I always say
By Will LaTulippe
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:04am
It's not an immigration problem, it's an emigration problem.
Dems lost
By Will LaTulippe
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 6:46pm
Because Kamala ran the Martha Coakley and Hillary Clinton playbooks.
What stopped the Vice President of the United States from taking a break from Pennsylvania campaigning to travel to the next state over to throw the first pitch at the World Series? Where was the Hot Ones appearance? Hell, her staff actually turned down Joe Rogan.
I don't know how she would have done on Rogan
By StillFromDorchester
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 7:39pm
Her interview style seems to need scripting ,
2 and a half hours just winging it probably would have hurt more than help, but you never know.
They could have started talking about ancient Egypt and how Rogan thinks aliens might have built everything, and people would like her when she agreed ....lol
Duplicate post
By StillFromDorchester
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 7:40pm
Someone picked up the phone and broke the internet connection.....lol
Damn AOL
Not obeying the law will not
By Frelmont
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 9:44am
Not obeying the law will not be a problem for much of this Council. (In part referring to the corruption news item that greatly overshadowed this one.)
So, let me get this straight, workers can be told “it’s the vaccine, or your job,” but how will this play out- “It’s subornation, or your job?”
What...
By lbb
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:41am
...is "subornation"?
What is subornation?
By Michael Kerpan
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:32pm
A legal term used almost exclusively in connection with persuading (or coercing) someone to commit perjury.
Okay, but in context?
By lbb
Fri, 12/06/2024 - 10:19am
I'm trying to figure out its meaning in this context and failing, and I know I'm asking the wrong person to explain that.
My guess...
By Michael Kerpan
Fri, 12/06/2024 - 9:18pm
he/she/it meant to type "subordination".
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