Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson said, "Boston is a sanctuary city," which puts the city at odds with President-elect Donald Trump's promise to deport undocumented immigrants.
Defying the president's plans could come at a cost, according to CBS Boston. Trump has said he would cancel federal funding to sanctuary cities, where authorities will not detain undocumented people unless they have criminal warrants.
Jackson said he is concerned that undocumented residents might be afraid to interact with police or send their children to school.
"The police department, if you call them and you need help they will help you, and they will not turn you in to the Feds," Jackson said, reports CBS Boston.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, agreed with Jackson, saying, "We are a welcoming city for all. These are Boston values and no policy will change them."
According to CBS Boston, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson believes sanctuary cities are breaking federal law.
"It's no secret that these criminal illegal aliens and terrorists are looking for places to go where they are least likely to be caught, Hodgson said. "What's really troubling about this is that any elected official in this country would suggest that there should be a certain class of people who do not have to abide by our laws."
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel also expressed his city's status saying that "Chicago is and will remain a sanctuary city. Chicago has been a city of immigrants since it was founded."
The Los Angeles Police Department shared the sentiments of Boston's officials. "We are not going to engage in law enforcement activities based on somebody's immigration status," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said.
San Francisco is bracing for a cutoff of federal funds for its status on sanctuary cities, according to SF Gate.
Hundreds of cities around the U.S. have sanctuary policies, and San Francisco's is one of the most stringent, SF Gate's reports.
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