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Watch: Mayor Wu responds to Trump administration's immigration letter
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
Today is the deadline for Boston to respond to the Trump administration's latest effort to pressure the city over its immigration policies — and Mayor Michelle Wu doesn't plan to make them wait until the end of the day. Here's what to know:
Loud and clear: Wu is set to deliver the city's response via a press conference this morning in front of Boston City Hall, backed by fellow elected officials and community leaders. Wu's office says the 9:30 a.m. event will be live-streamed here.
- Catch up: Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters to 32 cities, counties and states that limit local police cooperation with ICE. In it, Bondi requested local leaders respond by today, detailing their plans to eliminate any policies and laws that impede federal immigration enforcement. If not, Bondi suggested they could face funding cuts and even criminal prosecution.
- Why Boston? The city was included on a new list of "sanctuary jurisdictions" published this month by the Department of Justice (after its initial mistake-riddled list was retracted this spring). Though local officials generally don't use the word "sanctuary," Boston's Trust Act — enacted by Wu's predecessor in 2014 — bars local police from working with ICE, except for serious criminal matters.
- What to expect: It certainly doesn't sound like Wu is backing down. "Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law and we will respond," Wu told reporters yesterday. WBUR's Eve Zuckoff has more here on what to expect from today's press conference, and Wu's history of handling the Trump administration's pressure over immigration enforcement.
- Zoom out: It's hardly the first time the Trump administration has threatened legal actions against a city that limits police cooperation with ICE. But in previous fights, the courts have repeatedly sided with local officials.
Meanwhile at City Hall: Wu signed an executive order yesterday to give certain city services something of a tech upgrade. The order allows more permit applications and renewals — including inspections and certificates of occupancy — to be completed online, instead of forcing residents and businesses to physically visit City Hall.
- Wu also signed an ordinance allowing the city's Department of Innovation and Technology the authority to build digital tools in-house, rather than relying on outside contractors. " We can move data securely, we can make our residents' experience better, we can save money, and all of this because we can invest in making sure that our employees and our departments have the right technology," Santiago Garcia, the city's chief information officer, said.
Heads up: Some coastal communities in Massachusetts could start feeling the effects of Hurricane Erin today, in the form of building waves and dangerous rip currents. National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Loconto said the local effects will likely peak Thursday and Friday, when Erin reaches its closest point to New England. The Cape and Islands could additionally see high winds and beach erosion.
- North Carolina's Outer Banks are expected to see the biggest impacts from Erin, with waves up to 20 feet high and likely flooding. NPR has more on its path.
Tomato, tom-ah-to: Today is the 40th annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest in downtown Boston. Farmers from across the state are gathering at the Boston Public Market to vie for the title of "Tastiest Tomato" (and one of these fantastic tomato trophies).
- The fruit will be judged on their flavor, firmness, color and shape (read more about the criteria here) by a panel of food writers, state officials, produce experts and chefs, according to the state's agricultural commissioner, Ashley Randle. "It's fun," Randle told WBUR's Amy Sokolow. "Every year when we can add a few new judges who haven't got to experience the contest before and see how excited they get in determining who has the tastiest tomato." Last year's winners include Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon and Freedom Food Farm in Raynham.
- The tomato judging kicks off at 11 a.m. outside the Public Market. " So people can walk by, and view what's going on," Randle said.
P.S.— Tomatoes aren't the only thing in season right now. Late-summer in New England is also a prime time for frappes. So, we want to hear from you: where are the best spots for frappes (and/or milkshakes) in Massachusetts? Give your favorite spot a shoutout using this form and it may be included in an upcoming newsletter.
