Providence likely doesn’t qualify as sanctuary city under new definition

By Alana Cerrone

acerrone@abc6.com

@Alana_Cerrone

In the eyes of Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, his city is a sanctuary city…but not according to new guidelines released by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

"By this definition…this is another victory for cities that are standing up for immigrants in our community."

The guidelines say a sanctuary city is one that ‘willfully refuse(s) to comply with 8 USC 1373’, the federal law that mandates a state or city may not block a government official from sharing immigration information with federal officers.

Elorza says Providence doesn’t fall into that category, even though city police aren’t allowed to question immigration status while making an arrest.

"Every single city in the U.S. complies with section 1373 as far as I know. I’m hoping we can put that chapter behind us and start working with the federal government and the state government at every single level to make sure we’re focusing on people who are committing serious crimes."

He says that is where Providence Police should be focusing their scarce resources.

"Our police officers will not be immigration agents, that’s not the best use of resources."

Meanwhile, according to Sessions’ memo, any city that doesn’t comply with section 1373 will be ineligible to receive Department of Justice grants.

Last year alone Providence got more than $630,000 from the DOJ.

Last month a judge blocked President Trump’s executive order to cut funding from sanctuary cities, and the DOJ is now using Sessions’ memo to ask the judge to reconsider, given the clarified definition.

© WLNE-TV 2017