APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An area city has been spotlighted in the national discussion on immigration.
Appleton has been deemed by the online political journalism site POLITICO as a “sanctuary city” for immigrants, despite the fact Appleton has never so declared itself.
Such cities agree to provide shelter for illegal immigrants.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged that one of his top priorities once he takes office will be to cancel federal funding to sanctuary cities.
Appleton police chief Todd Thomas tells WLUK immigration enforcement should not trickle down to the local level.
“It isn’t our duty as local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws. That’s been our stance in the past, and that’ll continue to be our stance”
But Republican lawmakers, like Kaukauna Assemblyman Jim Steineke have another view.
“In the grand scheme of things, if they’re here illegally, if they’re undocumented, and police come across them in any way, that should be reported to federal authorities.”
While Appleton has not officially declared itself a sanctuary city, its leaders say they will continue to operate as they have… not asking people about their immigration status, and not detaining people because of that status.
Thomas says, “Part of our job is to make them feel safe, and to make them feel comfortable coming to us. And we do that by being vocal, and saying we won’t enforce those laws.”
Tim Hanna, Appleton’s mayor, agrees
“What I ask out of my staff and my citizens is we treat each person as a human being and treat them with dignity and respect”
A local social justice organization called ESTHER strongly advocates for immigrant’s rights.
Father Joe Mattern, is president of the Fox Valley’s ESTHER chapter.
“A lot of here immigrants here locally in the Fox River valley are living in fear. What’s going to happen, is my family going to get broken up?”
All entities involved say they’ll await an official decision on federal funding cuts before changing policies.
But in Appleton, Hanna says change won’t be likely.
“If we’re going to get punished for that, yeah, I’ll stand up against that every day. That’s a moral obligation as far as I’m concerned.”
