Joe Biden had supported a ban on sanctuary cities when he ran for president in 2007, The Hill is reporting.
He was asked during a debate whether he would permit sanctuary cities to ignore federal law, according to The Hill.
He answered: “No.”
And Fox News also quoted him as saying: "Part of the problem is you have to have a federal government that can enforce laws.”
Today, the former vice president’s position is unclear, according to The Hill.
"(Biden) believes that the Trump administration's approach to immigration, including its crackdown on sanctuary cities and especially its repugnant treatment of migrant children, is contrary to our values as a nation,” spokesperson Andrew Bates said earlier this year.
However, the Biden campaign did not respond to further questions from The Hill about whether he supports any enforcement efforts aimed at ensuring cooperation between federal and local officials in sanctuary cities.
The Hill noted that hundreds of cities – many with Democratic mayors or city councils – maintain local authorities should not have to report to immigration agents when they come in contact with people illegally in the U.S
“We’re looking for clarity from Biden and all of the 2020 Democrats on this issue,” said Angel Padilla, national policy director for the liberal advocacy group Indivisible. “We have safer communities when you disentangle immigration enforcement from local law enforcement.
Sanctuary cities could emerge as a campaign issue as Biden’s Democratic rivals have attempted to use his past positions against him, The Hill pointed out.
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