“Have to not give false hope.”
Mayor David LaGrand says calling Grand Rapids a sanctuary city are just words without power to protect.
“People may think somehow that gives them protection they don't have, it’s not a term that has any legal status.”
But dozens of speakers at this week’s city commission meeting.
“My name is Santiago Santagus.”
Are pleading with commissioners to keep immigration and customs enforcement officers out of Grand Rapids.
“I grew up in LA both of my parents were deported ice came to where they worked and they took both of my parents.”
But Ryan Maulder and other speakers do not think Grand Rapids should be a sanctuary for undocumented residents.
“We should not be anything close to a sanctuary city cost of living is out of control part of this is the illegal migration.”
With the city's limited powers
“We do not have an army we do not issue passports.”
The mayor will only promise the police department won’t help ICE round up and deport undocumented grand rapids residents.
“Our city police force is in the business of keeping our city safe not in the business of enforcing immigration law.”
