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Phoenix City Council seeks legal advice on Trump immigration policies

Phoenix City Council chambers
Christina Estes/KJZZ
Phoenix City Council chambers.

Phoenix leaders will meet behind closed doors Tuesday to get legal advice about Trump administration policies regarding immigration.

The council’s executive session stems from a Department of Justice memo, which says state and local officials who don’t cooperate with immigration enforcement could be charged under federal laws. The three-page memo calls on U.S. attorneys to investigate local officials who fail to comply with immigration related commands or requests.

In 2017, during President Donald Trump’s first term, city leaders rejected a citizen petition to declare Phoenix a sanctuary city. Then-Mayor Greg Stanton said it would violate state law and the city would risk losing millions in state shared revenue.

Later that year, Phoenix police updated department policies to require a sergeant's approval before contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

More Immigration News

As a senior field correspondent, Christina Estes focuses on stories that impact our economy, your wallet and public policy.