San Francisco responds to President Trump's threat to sanctuary cities
SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco is among the sanctuary cities and counties in the United States, dedicated to protecting the immigrant community.
City leaders and community members spoke about how they plan to respond to possible ice operations.
The Mission District is home to a large Latino immigrant community.
Residents said it's sanctuary city status offers comfort.
But President Donald Trump's threat to investigate and prosecute local law enforcement officials who don't help his administration carry out deportations is causing fear.
"I've heard from business owners who want help because their workers are telling them they don't want to come to work," said Roberto Hernandez of the San Francisco Mission Merchants Association
Samue Figueroa is a birthright citizen.
He was born in Los Angeles to a mother who is undocumented.
She came to the United States from Mexico about 20 years ago.
Figueroa says his mother and sister are among many family members who are undocumented.
He's concerned about mass deportations.
"What's going to happen to them? They go through those borders, they could get raped. They could get murdered," said Figueroa.
On Wednesday night, many city and community leaders gathered at Local 261, a union hall in the Mission, for an open house.
"We don't plan on working with ice in terms of their enforcement activities," said Sheriff Paul Miyamoto.
But there is an exception.
"When we have somebody involved in serious violent felonies who have a criminal history and who has current charges, and they meet a very specific criteria, we have the opportunity to notify ICE once they have finished their local charges and pending release," said Miyamoto.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman said the city has dealt with these same challenges during President Trump's first term.
"There was unending litigation. Some brought by the federal government against us, some from us against the federal government. We appear to be returning to that.
The courts are really important. We'll be relying on the courts to uphold the constitution," said Mandelman.
For Figueroa, he said his mother's decision to come to the U.S. gave him and his siblings a better life.
"We all got to go to high school. Learn English. We learned the American way. It's safe here in America," said Figueroa.
Latino community leaders held a rally last Saturday to support immigrants.
They plan to hold a workshop in February to educate business owners and undocumented workers about their rights.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU