Councilor firm on sanctuary-city talks after Trump's order

City Council President Jane Knodell said she intends to continue examining Burlington's policies toward undocumented immigrants with an eye toward ensuring immigrants feel safe despite President Donald Trump's executive order cracking down on sanctuary cities.

Knodell chairs the ad hoc welcoming committee, which was formed after Mayor Miro Weinberger declared his intention to make Burlington a sanctuary city. 

Trump signed an order on Wednesday afternoon directing federal agencies to take action to cut off federal funding for sanctuary cities. The text of the order states that "jurisdictions have caused immeasurable harm to the American people and to the very fabric of our Republic" by declaring sanctuary-city status

"We'll look to the city attorney to help us understand the implications," Knodell said. She added that the council had always been aware that Trump would be taking steps to follow up on his campaign rhetoric.

"It has begun," she said.

Weinberger said it was no surprise that Trump was acting on his campaign promises.

"We will carefully examine the implications of this new Executive Order as we continue our review of our related city policies," he said via text message. "We will continue to be guided by Burlington's inclusive values and longstanding practices."

Burlington police chief Brandon del Pozo, City Attorney Eileen Blackwood and representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont and Migrant Justice have been meeting over the past few weeks to craft a draft policy that does not conflict with existing federal law.

Knodell said the council and Blackwood would have to examine the text of Trump's executive order carefully to see how it may apply to the city, and then have to make some choices.

"We'll have to be weighing the costs and the benefits," she said.

The Police Commission is currently taking public comment on the fair and impartial policing policy, which includes the sanctuary city language. The body plans to hold a series of discussions in the community over the next few weeks.

That will not change, said Sarah Kenney, who leads the Police Commission.

Speaking through a translator, Migrant Justice spokesman Enrique Balcazar said the immigrant community has always had to fight for their rights.

"This year will be a tougher year than we've ever had before," he said, but pointed to the community's past activism as examples of their willingness to continue to struggle for their right to be in the state.

"I have faith in Vermont," he added. "I believe the state is going to act to defend its' values in this moment," he said.

Read the text of Trump's executive order below:

Vermont cities wrestle with sanctuary state rules

Contact Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jess_aloe.