DOJ gives sanctuary cities final chance to comply with Trump's immigration rules

SCREEN CAPTURE / FOX

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions

IN THE ONGOING war between the Trump administration and a host of cities, counties and the State of California, the Justice Department today (Oct. 12) fired off another salvo against those jurisdictions that have refused to comply with the questionable immigration policies.

Initially, the DOJ is targeting seven jurisdictions following a preliminary assessment of the jurisdictions’ compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373. These jurisdictions were identified in a May 2016 report by the Department of Justice’s Inspector General as having laws that potentially violate 8 U.S.C. 1373. 

The following jurisdictions have preliminarily been found to have laws, policies, or practices that may violate 8 U.S.C. 1373: 

• Cook County, Illinois; 
• Chicago, Illinois; 
• New Orleans, Louisiana; 
• New York, New York; and 
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

The Trump administration has taken a hardline position against so-called "sanctuary cities" claiming they leave violent criminals on the streets. The assessment is its latest effort to force "sanctuary cities" to comply with federal immigration orders.

RELATED: Judge upholds injunction vs. federal actions against 'sanctuary' jurisdictions

Proponents of "sanctuary cities," like Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, say they create trust between police and immigrants, who otherwise might be afraid to report crimes.

Mayor Kenney said Philadelphia welcomes immigrants and supports its immigrant communities.

"We're doing smart policing and, as a result, we had the lowest level of crime in 2016 that we've had in 40 years," Kenney said before the latest DOJ warning. "We will not let this administration interfere with our longstanding efforts to bring members of Philadelphia's immigrant community from the shadows."

Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit against the Session's policy tying federal funds to compliance with immigration rules alleging that new JAG funding requirements that force cities to abandon "sanctuary city" policies are unlawful.

Two federal judges, in California and Chicago, have ruled that the Trump administration's new requirements for receiving a key law enforcement grant that hinged on immigration enforcement could cause "irreparable harm," adding that the city had shown a "likelihood of success" in its case that Attorney General Jeff Sessions exceeded his authority in requiring local jurisdictions to comply with the new standards.

U.S. District Court Judge Harry D. Leinenweber blocked the DOJ from enforcing the new measures, which it introduced earlier this summer, meaning cities applying for the funds this year will not have to comply.

"The harm to the city's relationship with the immigrant community, if it should accede to the conditions, is irreparable," Leinenweber wrote. "Once such trust is lost, it cannot be repaired through an award of money damages."

The DOJ also found no evidence that the following jurisdictions are currently out of compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373: 

• Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; and 
• the State of Connecticut. 

The department also previously sent letters to the following jurisdictions notifying them that the department found no evidence that they are currently out of compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373: 

• Clark County, Nevada; and 
• Miami-Dade County, Florida. 

Jurisdictions that were found to have possible violations of 8 U.S.C 1373 will have until Oct. 27, 2017 to provide additional evidence that the interpretation and application of their laws, policies, or practices comply with the statute. 

“Jurisdictions that adopt so-called ‘sanctuary policies’ also adopt the view that the protection of criminal aliens is more important than the protection of law-abiding citizens and of the rule of law,” said Sessions. 

“I commend the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the State of Connecticut on their commitment to complying with Section 1373, and I urge all jurisdictions found to be out of compliance in this preliminary review to reconsider their policies that undermine the safety of their residents. We urge jurisdictions to not only comply with Section 1373 but to establish sensible and effective partnerships to properly process criminal aliens.”

2 men targeting Philadelphia's Chinese Americans get severe sentences

Philadelphia's Chinatown

ASAM NEWS

TWO MEN have been sentenced in connection with a series of home invasion robberies in Philadelphia targeting Asian/American business owners.
 
Norman Bowen and Anthony Campbell of West Philadelphia were convicted in at least 6 of the 13 incidents which occurred between May and August of 2013.

Philly.com reports Bowen received a sentence of 35 to 70 years in state prison after his guilty plea to six home invasions and one attempted.

RELATED: Philly revives Commission on Asian American Affairs

Campbell pleaded guilty or no contest to seven home invasions and received a sentence of 30 to 60 years in prison.

The series of crimes struck terror in the community. Last year, 700 people rallied for better police protection. At least 100 Chinese American families and small businesses had been victims of armed robberies in 2016.

Even after two of the suspects were sentenced, many are still feeling the impact.

“The victims that were selected by these defendants were targeted for who they are. … These defendants targeted Chinese business owners,” Assistant District Attorney Jill Fertel told the judge prior to the sentencing which was attended by about 80 Chinese community members who demanded stiff sentences.
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Emily's List recognizes Philadelphia Councilwoman Helen Gym as a 'rising star' in politics

Philadelphia Councilwoman Helen Gym is getting national notice.

PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCILWOMAN Helen Gym, the first Asian/American woman to serve in that body, is being recognized as one of the country's rising political stars.

“The EMILY’s List community is excited to announce Philadelphia City Councilwoman Helen Gym as the winner of the 2017 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award,” said Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List.

EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, said that Gym is receiving the 2017 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award. The award will be presented at the We Are EMILY gala in Washington, D.C. today, which will feature a keynote address from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and remarks by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who will present the award. The Rising Star Award celebrates an extraordinary woman serving in state or local office.

“Helen has displayed an unwavering dedication to the women and families in her community," said Schriock. "Her leadership sets a standard for public office holders across the country. 

"At a time when this administration and its GOP allies are working to roll back the clock on women’s progress, pro-choice Democratic women like Helen are our first line of defense," said Schriock. "We are proud to celebrate Helen’s commitment to standing up for the most vulnerable communities and fighting back in a time when our fundamental principles are being threatened. We could not be more excited to see what she will accomplish.” 

The We Are EMILY gala will also honor the resistance of the millions of women across the country who are leading the charge against Donald Trump and his Republican allies in office. Since Election Day, over 11,000 women have reached out to EMILY’s List indicating their intent to run for office.

Elected in 2015, Helen Gym became Philadelphia’s first Asian/American woman elected to city council. She won her at-large seat after 20 years of grassroots organizing on behalf of Philadelphia’s public education system and immigrant communities. In her first year, she won historic investments toward universal pre-K and youth homelessness, and expanded resources for public schools. Gym is now leading the charge nationally around sanctuary cities and immigrant rights – and becoming a leading voice for cities resisting and winning with a progressive agenda.

About the award: The award honors a woman who demonstrates the sort of commitment to community, dedication to women and families, and determination and civility that have been the highlights of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ career, in and out of office. Previous recipients include Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran (2016), Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley (2015), and Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (2014).

EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $500 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making them one of the most successful political organizations ever. 

Forty percent of the candidates EMILY’s List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color - including every single Democratic Asian/American, Latina and African/American congresswoman currently serving.

The 'List's' grassroots community of over five million members helps Democratic women wage competitive campaigns – and win. It recruits and trains candidates, supports strong campaigns, researches the issues that impact women and families, and turns out women voters. Since its founding in 1985, we have trained nearly 10,000 women to run and helped elect 116 women to the House, 23 to the Senate, 12 governors, and over 800 to state and local office. 

Philadelphia revives Commission on Asian American Affairs

Violence against Asian/Americans in Philadelphia sparked protests last October.

A SPATE of burglaries against Asian/American businesses and acknowledgement of an strategy to attract more high-tech firms has prompted Philadelphia's mayor to revive the Commission on Asian American Affairs.

"We're about 6 percent of the population here," said John Chin, executive director of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. and chairman of the new committee. "So I guess, if we're out of sight, sometimes we're out of mind. And I want to change that dynamic."

Mayor Jim Kenney said the panel's goal is to advise him on issues and policies pertinent to that community. That includes exploring ways to expand jobs for Asians in the city.

The new committee has 25 members and will be housed within the Mayor's Office of Public Engagement. Nina Ahmad, head of that office, in a statement said the commission would "play an important role as a conduit" between the community and government while making policy and program recommendations to Kenney.

The Commission was originally formed in 2009 under a former mayor but in recent years had grown inactive.

"Currently two industries that our city is known for — information technology and biotechnology — are seeing an increased need for a diverse workforce," Kenney said. "We can help them meet these needs while also setting our Asian/American communities up for success."

Chin called on professionals to join together to help their community. "We are in a new time with new challenges, and it behooves all of us to raise our expectations and do a little bit more," he said. "And we're going to find out what that little bit more is."

He brought attention to the recent series of burglaries and home invasions against Asian Americans.

The arrest last summer of two men suspected of robbing no fewer than 13 Asian businesses didn't  end of fear of crime targeting the community, said Chin.

“There’s even rap music about how easy Asian/American homes are as targets of burglaries.”

In October, about 700 people held a rally in Center City to decry violence against members of the Chinese/American community. "We cannot let people just use culture and language as an excuse for things not working," Chin said. "We actually have to come up with really creative solutions."
Chin said that will be an item on the Commission’s agenda and Kenney tied it to the Philadelphia's status as a sanctuary city, where law enforcement is not bound to report undocumented immigrants to federal agents.

“Making Philadelphia an arm of the federal immigration force will make it even worse because people will not come forward,” Kenney said.

Chin said the commission intends to hold a citywide meeting to gather input.

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