The city of Providence and the state’s Department of Corrections both appear on a list released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as being uncooperative with federal immigration enforcement.
The report, released Monday, includes Providence and the DOC for their stated position not to honor immigration detainers without a warrant.
At an event proclaiming a quote “Immigrant Day of Action,” Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said he wasn’t sure what being included on the list means for the city.
“My sense of being included in this list is that they, the department of homeland security cast a very broad net, so I’m not sure what use this list is going to be to them,” said Elorza. “They’re trying to figure out for themselves, what exactly is a sanctuary city? What exactly can they do?”
Elorza reiterated that using local police for immigration enforcement would strain community relations.
“We say to the administration, take it from the people who know, take it from the people that are dealing with those issues every single day,” said Elorza. “We are a safer community when local law enforcement is not asked to act as local immigration agents.”
