ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Council on Tuesday unanimously reaffirmed Rochester's status as a sanctuary city.
The city has not prosecuted undocumented immigrants since the resolution was first passed in 1986. The mayor said she plans to continue that policy.
“Everyone that wants to be a part of our community can be a part of our community," said Lovely Warren, (D) Rochester Mayor. "And we’re not going to allow our resources to be used for things that the federal government should be doing under their jurisdiction.”
President Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities, but city officials say Rochester is following New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s guidelines to make sure that doesn't happen.
“As a government entity we’re required to comply with the constitution and with the law of the land," said city attorney Brian Curran. "So we’re going to comply with the laws, but not volunteer to do things we don’t think we should be doing.”
The newly-passed resolution contains many elements from the original 1986 resolution, like the fact that city employees are not to inquire or request proof of immigration status when providing services, unless required by law. However, this year’s resolution also includes a new item saying city resources will not be put toward a registry of people’s national origin, religion or race.
Before the vote about two dozen community members spoke in favor of the resolution. There was one speaker opposed who said Rochester should focus on taking care of its own homeless population first.
“I don’t know how many people you think can fit in a lifeboat," Carl Giardino of Rochester said. "But it appears to me Rochester’s life boat is already full, so if you keep pulling on another one, or two or three or four, I think it’s going to go down. And if you want to take care of any immigrants or refugees who are here right now, just raise your hand, pass the hat and bring them home with you.”
Another resident says the resolution is a step in the right direction.
“The decision to round up and deport undocumented immigrants is an attempt to mislead us, not an attempt to lead us," David Brickman of Rochester said. "And I think we have to resist that with everything we have at the local level.”
Additionally, some are looking to create a "Sanctuary County."
Monroe County Legislator Mark Muoio says he plans to send a letter to County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo and County Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn for their support.
He says he hopes to eventually write legislation, depending on their answers.
"We’re directing this towards the Sheriff’s, so I don’t know that that would control what the Greece police would do, or what Brighton police do," Muoio said. "That would have to be fleshed out I believe in legislation. I don’t think the County Executive or Sheriff can control what’s happens in each town. "