Lehigh Valley
Allentown, Pennsylvania, to vote on ordinance to protect illegals
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Trump administration has ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who the administration believes are interfering with its crackdown on immigration.
The announcement comes two weeks before Allentown City Council is set to vote on a bill to establish what’s being called a “welcoming city.”
But the bill could face an uphill battle in becoming law. Allentown City Council President Daryl Hendricks, a former Allentown police officer, said he’s planning to vote no on the bill.
“I will be opposed to it,” Hendricks said. “I think my law enforcement — city police — should be able to cooperate with federal officials in going after those criminals and those illegals who are involved in criminal activity.”
The proposed legislation states that city employees shall not use city resources to provide information to immigration officials, that no city employee shall disclose an individual’s immigration status unless required by law, and that the city shall not retain information related to an individual’s citizenship unless required by state or federal law or court order.
A new memo from the Trump administration states:
“Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices and litigating components of the Department of Justice shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution.”
City Council is set to vote on the ‘welcoming city’ bill on Feb. 5.
