After Trump Administration Pressures Sanctuary Cities, Miami Becomes First to Reverse Its Status

The Trump administration’s announcement that it would withhold federal funds from “sanctuary cities” recognized under the Obama administration ignited the fuse on what would become a wave of protests over the hot-button issue.

One mayor of a metropolitan area, Miami and Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, stated his intention early that his city would come into full compliance with the Trump administration’s policies.

The South Florida city, largely populated by Cuban immigrants, exploded with outrage over Gimenez’s decision.

The urban immigrant community and its supporters also showed its rejection of subsequent Trump administration policies, such as the temporary ban on immigrants from Muslim majority nations.

As reported by the Miami Herald, the Gimenez policy reversed a 2013 county policy and directed Miami-Dade jails to “begin honoring requests by immigration officers to extend the detentions of people in local custody who are also being sought for possible deportation.”

On August 5, Miami-Dade County’s Board of County Commissioners received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice stating that it was in compliance. It thus became eligible for over $480,000 in federal grants.

Miami now becomes the first known major metropolitan area to reverse its sanctuary city status under the Trump administration.