POLL: Should Salem Become a Sanctuary City?

SALEM, MA – The subject of sanctuary cities has become hotly debated in the past month, and Salem's no exception. The city is considering adopting a sanctuary city ordinance to reaffirm Salem's policy of not actively assisting federal authorities in deporting undocumented immigrants, as Mayor Kim Driscoll recently told the Boston Globe.

The ordinance would be in compliance with the law, Driscoll said, and would not put the city at risk of losing federal funding. But it would ensure that law enforcement officials don't ask for someone's immigration status unless they are under arrest, which is the police department's current policy.

City Councilor Dave Eppley told the Salem News in November that the ordinance, which he filed, would protect undocumented citizens when they call police to report a crime.

There are concerns about the city's federal funding after President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order threatening to withhold federal grants from sanctuary cities. According to the Boston Globe article, Salem receives roughly $10 million in federal funding annually. In the article Chairman of the Republican City Committee John Hayes asked why an ordinance would be necessary if the same procedures would be followed.

Before the ordinance comes before City Council on Feb. 9, take the anonymous poll below. Include civil comments to explain your stance.

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