Wu reasserts Boston's sanctuary city status ahead of Trump's second term

Mayor Michelle Wu reiterated Boston's status as a sanctuary city over the weekend, as president-elect Donald Trump doubles down on plans for mass deportations when he takes office.

"The last thing we want is for people who are part of our economy, part of our school system, part of our community and the fabric of our city, to feel that all of a sudden they have to retreat into the shadows," Wu said during an interview on WCVB's On The Record Sunday.

Wu was a city councilor when the city passed the Trust Act, which prohibits Boston police from interrogating, detaining or arresting a person solely for non-criminal immigration enforcement purposes. She supported the act when it was introduced in 2014 and again when it was revised in 2019.

The ordinance does allow police to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement on criminal investigations, like human trafficking and drug trafficking.

Wu said Boston's sanctuary status is important to ensure that undocumented residents feel comfortable doing things like sending their children to school.

"We want immigrants to know that it is safe for everyone, to be able to feel comfortable reaching out for emergency services, to report a crime, to ask for help, and generally to be part of our community," she said.

Other Massachusetts officials have also pushed back against Trump's promised deportation plan.

Gov. Maura Healey said the Massachusetts State Police would "absolutely not" assist in immigration enforcement. Attorney General Andrea Campbell told reporters she and attorneys general across the country are prepared to challenge the incoming administration with lawsuits.

Healey sued the Trump administration nearly 100 times when she was attorney general, including a suit over Trump's travel ban on people from certain Muslim-majority countries.

"I think the office has demonstrated that it has led in the past, and will continue to on every issue," Campbell said.