Mass. Sheriff to Congress: Bust Officials Who Support Sanctuary Cities

A Massachusetts sheriff advised House lawmakers on Tuesday to arrest public officials who support sanctuary cities.

"At best, sanctuary cities are a direct violation of trust between the legal residents and the elected officials who took an oath to protect them at all costs," Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson told the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security during a hearing aired on C-Span.

"At worst, it's careless, illegal and extremely dangerous. If these sanctuary cities are going to harbor and conceal criminal illegal aliens from ICE, which is in direct violation of Title 8 of the U.S. Code, federal arrest warrants should be issued for their elected officials."

In an interview with the Standard-Times of New Bedford, Hodgson blasted Michelle DuBois, a Democratic Massachusetts state representative, who he charged had undermined authorities by tipping off illegal immigrants to a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"It's unconscionable. She completely undermined law enforcement," Hodgson told the newspaper.

The House hearing at which Hodgson testified came a day after Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities who don't cooperate with the feds in helping round up illegal immigrants.

Dozens of sanctuary cities across the country — including New York City and San Francisco — allow residence by undocumented immigrants, helping them avoid deportation. But Sessions says aiding those with criminal backgrounds puts the public at risk.

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