Cape Cod Town Responds To Trump Sanctuary City Claim

ORLEANS, MA — A Cape Cod town named in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's public list of places with so-called sanctuary policies on the books has responded.

The executive order claims these cities, towns, and counties are "shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities" and are protecting "dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril."

The list has since been taken offline following criticism from across the board, including law enforcement organizations, but that didn't stop officials in Orleans, named specifically in the DHS statement, from responding.

"It has been brought to our attention through a Facebook post, that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website lists Orleans as a 'sanctuary jurisdiction,'" said Select Board Chair Kevin Galligan. "Currently, we have not received formal notification from DHS. In addition, we have not adopted any policy that would identify us as a sanctuary city and our local law enforcement staff work closely with our federal partners on all matters consistent with the law."

In addition to Orleans, Barnstable County as a whole was named on the list.

Trump has previously threatened to pull $300 million in federal funds annually due to Boston's status as a so-called sanctuary city.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said that the city's police work with state and federal law enforcement "every day" when it comes to criminal matters, but that state law and the Boston Trust Act "make clear that immigration is federal law enforcement's responsibility," according to CBS News Boston.

Wu's opinion is echoed by Gov. Maura Healey, who has said that Massachusetts is "not a sanctuary state."

Previously, Immigration and Customs Enforcement made 370 arrests of undocumented citizens across Boston and Massachusetts.

Read more: Trump Administration Claims MA 'Shamefully Obstructing' Federal Immigration Laws