>> RIGHT NOW ON GBH NEWS ROOTED, SANCTUARY CITIES CONTINUED TO BE A TARGET FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THE GOVERNMENT GIVING PLACES LIKE BOSTON UNTIL AUGUST 19 TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL ORGAN NATION LAW.

THIS WAS THE MAYOR’S RESPONSE TO U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI.

>> THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ASKED FOR A RESPONSE BY TODAY.

SO HERE IT IS.

[CHEERING] >> HERE’S OUR RESPONSE.

STOP ATTACKING OUR CITIES TO HIDE YOUR ADMINISTRATION’S FAILURES.

UNLIKE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, BOSTON FOLLOWS THE LAW.

AND BOSTON WILL NOT BACK DOWN FROM WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY WILL NOT BACK DOWN FROM ITS SANCTUARY STATUS, BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR IMMIGRANTS SEEKING SAFETY AND CITIZENSHIP?

I’M PARIS ALSTON AND TONIGHT ON "GBH NEWS ROOTED."

WE’RE JOINED BY THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.

WELCOME, COUNSELOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I WANT TO SET THE STAGE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE SO OFTEN IN OUR NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT IMMIGRATION, THE FOCUS AND WHAT WE THINK ABOUT IS OTIENO IMMIGRANTS, BUT WE KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF NUANCES TO THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

HOW DO THOSE PLAY OUT FOR BLACK IMMIGRANTS IN THE CITY?

>> IT’S THE SAME THING WE SAY, WHEN OTHERS CATCH A COLD, WE CATCH PNEUMONIA.

THEY ARE BAD FOR ALL OF OUR IMMIGRANT COMMITTEES, BUT I DON’T THINK WE’VE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THE RACIAL ANIMUS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DISPLAYED FOR BLACK IMMIGRANTS, PARTICULARLY HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS, BEFORE.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE IS RACIAL ANIMUS, RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LIKE PEOPLE.

AND WE SEE HIM AND HIS ADMINISTRATION OVER THE YEARS, FROM HIS FIRST TERM TO NOW, TRANSFERRING THAT RACIAL ANIMUS TOWARDS BLACK IMMIGRANTS, TOWARDS HAITIAN, NIGERIAN IMMIGRANTS, TOWARDS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COME HERE SEEKING SHELTER FROM HARM, FROM POLITICAL HARM, FROM VIOLENCE, FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE FLEEING VIOLENCE.

IT’S REALLY GRAVE RIGHT NOW, THE SITUATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

PARIS: JUST TO PUT AN X SUMMATION POINT ON THAT, ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCACY GROUP, 70% OF BLACK IMMIGRANTS ARE DEPORTED ON CRIMINAL GROUNDS.

WHY DO BLACK IMMIGRANTS FACE DIFFERENT CHARGES HERE?

>> I THINK, AGAIN, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE LACK OF ACCESS TO SYSTEMS THAT WE SEE TO BE TRUE FOR BLACK FOLKS HERE IN THE COUNTRY, ALL THE MORE SO IN THE LEGAL PROCESS WHERE THEY ENCOUNTER RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE, AND SO THERE ARE GREAT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING AROUND THE COUNTRY TO DO THE WORK OF DEFENDING BLACK IMMIGRANTS AND OF MAKING IMMIGRATION A RACIAL JUSTICE ISSUE, AND WE KNOW THAT THE ANIMUS THAT THE PRESIDENT DISPLAYS TOWARD BLACK IMMIGRANTS IS ALSO PRESENT IN OUR SYSTEMS.

AND SO WHEN A BLACK IMMIGRANT GOES BEFORE THE JUDGE, ARE THEY LIKELY TO BE BELIEVED FOR THEIR STORY OF PERSECUTION OR THEIR STORY OF HARM?

ALL OF THESE THINGS MAKE IT MORE -- MORE DIFFICULT FOR BLACK IMMIGRANTS TO RECEIVE JUSTICE.

PARIS: I DO WANT TO BE CAREFUL HERE IN THE WAY THAT I HAVE PRESENTED IS IS TO NOT SAY THAT LATINO IMMIGRANTS ARE SOMEHOW SAFER, WE KNOW THAT ARLEY TINO COMMUNITIES ARE ALSO UNDER A LOT OF FEAR RIGHT NOW JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY LOOK AND ARE PERCEIVED, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THESE NUANCES EXIST BECAUSE OF HOW RACE FUNCTIONS IN AMERICA.

NOT TOO LONG AGO MAMA BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN MADE A HUGE SPLASH, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH THE CITY COUNSELOR WHO CAME ON TO "GBH NEWS ROOTED."

WE DISCUSSED THIS HOLD CONCEPT OF BRINGING HELP TO BOSTON, PARTICULARLY IN HOW THE CITY IS POSITIONED AS A SANCTUARY CITY IN HELPING CARE FOR HAITIAN AND OTHER MIGRANTS WHO COME HERE SEEKING ASYLUM OR A BETTER LIFE.

HOW IS THAT REVERBERATED THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY SINCE THEN?

>> HERE WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO SAID HE WAS GOING TO FOCUS HIS TIME ON CRIMINALS, AND WE HAVE IMMIGRANTS WHO THE DATA SHOWS BY AND LARGE ARE MUCH MORE ON AVERAGE MORE LAW-ABIDING.

THE CATO INSTITUTE, A LIBERTARIAN, CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATION, HAS DATA SHOWING HOW HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS, SPECIFICALLY I THINK IT’S 81% ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE IN PART OF OUR CAR’S ROLE SO THE PRESIDENT ISN’T GOING OFF OF DATA, HE’S GOING OFF OF VIBES, AND THAT IS BAD LEADERSHIP.

IT IS BAD LEADERSHIP, AND IT IS BAD FOR OUR ECONOMY, IF I’M BEING HONEST.

YOU HAVE RESIDENTS HERE, I’M TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS, BUT A NIGERIAN IMMIGRANT RIGHT NOW IS BEING DETAINED WITH LITTLE INFORMATION BY ICE.

THIS IS AN INJUSTICE.

OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE BUSINESS LEADERS.

THEY ARE ENTREPRENEURS.

THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING MANNER -- MEMBER’S TO OUR TAX BASE.

THEY ARE HOME HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHEN YOUR GRANDFATHER NEED SOMEONE IT HOME TO COME VISIT HIM.

THEY ARE HOSPITAL WORKERS, BUS DRIVERS.

THEY ARE INTEGRAL TO OUR SOCIETY.

WITH THIS PRESIDENT IS DOING IS NOTHING MORE THAN A D LEGALIZATION CAMPAIGN.

TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE WITH LAWFUL STATUS.

HE SAID HE WAS GOING AFTER THOSE WHO ARE HERE UNLAWFULLY OR ILLEGALLY, AS HE LIKES TO STATE.

BUT WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT HIS FOCUS HAS BEEN ON STRIPPING PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY BLACK AND LATINOS, WHO HAVE LEGAL STATUS, WHETHER IT’S THROUGH THE CHN B PROGRAM THAT COVERED CUBAN, HAITIAN, NICARAGUANS AND OTHER PROTECTED PROGRAMS THAT IS PROVIDED STATUS FOR HAITIAN SINCE 2010, THE FEDERAL EARTHQUAKE, UP UNTIL NOW WITH THE RE-DESIGNATIONS.

SEE A LOT OF FEAR REVERBERATING THROUGHOUT THE HAITIAN, THROUGHOUT THE BLACK IMMIGRANT LATINO COMMUNICATION AND A LOT OF FEAR IN OUR CORPORATIONS AND INDUSTRIES, FROM FOOD SERVICES TO TRANSPORTATION TO HEALTH CARE , WHO ARE NERVOUS AS WELL ABOUT LOSING AND HAVING TO LET GO, AND WE’VE ALREADY SEEN MANY OF THEM LET GO WORKERS WHO ARE INTEGRAL TO CARING FOR PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND TO SERVING THE CITY.

SO IT’S JUST BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT.

PARIS: IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS, WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF NOT HAVING THOSE PEOPLE HERE?

>> WE ARE ALREADY TOYING WITH A RECESSION IN THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE POLICIES, THE QUESTIONABLE -- MORE THAN QUESTIONABLE ECONOMIC POLICIES BEING ADVANCED BY THIS PRESIDENT.

TO THEN LOSE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR TAX BASE, I DON’T KNOW IF WE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN.

THERE’S NO OTHER CAVALRY COMING, THERE’S NO OTHER WORKERS WE’VE TRAINED FOR THESE POSITIONS, AND IF WE ARE BEING HONEST, MANY OF THESE POSITIONS THAT ARE FILLED BY IMMIGRANT LABOR, BY LACK IMMIGRANT LABOR, ARE OFTEN JOBS THAT PEOPLE AREN’T RUNNING TOWARDS.

PARIS: THE BLACK JOBS.

>> RIGHT, EXACTLY.

THERE’S SO MUCH TO SAY, I DON’T EVEN OVER TO START OR STOP, BUT IT’S REALLY DANGEROUS.

EVEN THE MORAL ARGUMENT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE DUE PROCESS, THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE LEGALLY AND -- THERE’S AN ECONOMIC ARGUMENT THAT AT THE VERY ROOT OF WHAT KEEPS THIS CITY IN THIS COUNTRY GOING THAT WE NEED TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO.

AND YOU HAVE BUSINESS LEADERS SAYING THAT NOW, IN A WAY COME THAT WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE LOUDER ABOUT.

PARIS: THE FEDERAL JUDGE RECENTLY LOCKED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM WITHHOLDING GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING FROM SANCTUARY CITIES LIKE BOSTON, WAS INCLUDED IN THAT LIST OF 34 CITIES THAT THE JUDGE PUT THOSE PROTECTIONS OVER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOUR.

BOSTON CITY COUNCIL HAS BACK SEVERAL BILLS LIKE SAFE COMMUNITIES, AND WE ARE GETTING LEGAL DEFENSE ON DEPORTATION.

HOW IS THE CITY COUNCIL ENSURING THAT BLACK IMMIGRANTS ARE PRIORITIZED IN THESE PROTECTIONS?

>> THE MINUTE THAT I REALIZE THAT WE WOULD HAVE A SECOND TERM OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, I FILED A RESOLUTION IN DEFENSE IN RECOMMITTING OURSELVES TO THE WORK OF THE TRUST ACTS, SAYING THAT OUR BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKS BEST WHEN IT WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY, AND THAT MEANS ENFORCING THE LAWS, GOING AFTER THE BAD GUYS, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.

AND NOT DOING THE WORK OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO, TO BE CLEAR, THEY WANT US TO DO THEIR WORK IN ENGAGING IN CIVIL DEPORTATIONS.

SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO THEY WANT US TO HELP DEPORT THEM FOR THIS SOLE PURPOSE THAT THEY ARE UNLAWFULLY HERE.

AND WE ARE VERY CLEAR THAT OUR BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS FOCUSED ON LOCAL CRIMES, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE’RE GOING AFTER PEOPLE WHO ARE VIOLATING OUR LAWS AND WE ARE UPHOLDING THE LAWS.

NOT ONLY DID WE REAFFIRM UNANIMOUSLY EVERYONE ON THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL REAFFIRMED THE TRUST AT.

WE HAVE PUT MORE MONEY INTO SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING WORK AROUND LEGAL RIGHTS FOR FOLKS WHO ARE FACING ISSUES WITH RESPECT TO ICE HER DEPORTATION NOW.

IT’S NOT ENOUGH.

THERE’S NEVER GOING TO BE ENOUGH, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO DO OUR PART, AND WE WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE DOING THIS WORK.

THE MERRILL -- MIRROR COALITION ARE OUT THERE INFORMING IMMIGRANTS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND ALSO HELPING PEOPLE FIND LEGAL DEFENSE.

THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WHEN SOMEONE IS DETAINED IS THAT THEY HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

PARIS: THERE IS SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT THERE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL AND HOW IT WORKS INCONGRUENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK HERE, SO WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER A BRIEF WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS.

PARIS: I’M PARIS AUSTIN AND I’M HONORED TO RESENT THE SHORTLIST FOR THIS YEAR’S MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY STONEBROOK AWARDS, BECAUSE READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.

THIS ANNUAL PRIZE GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE JAMES IN AND KATHLEEN THE STONE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES THE BEST IN NEW LITERARY ADULT NONFICTION WORK IN THE FIELD OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE.

THESE 12 BOOKS WERE CHOSEN FROM 141 SUBMISSIONS, AND THE NOMINEES ARE, THE CONTAINMENT, DETROIT, THE SUPREME COURT AND THE BATTLE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE NORTH, AUTHORED BY MICHELLE ADAMS, PUBLISHED BY FOR ROURKE, STROSS.

HUMANS IN SHACKLES, AND IT LINNING HISTORY OF SLAVERY, PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS, GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY, MAROON E, LEGES AND THE COMMENTS, PUBLISHED BY WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY PRESS.

THE LIFE OF HILDA SIMS, PUBLISHED BY THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESS.

LOVE, RITA, AUTHORED BY BRIDGET M DAVIS, PUBLISHED BY HARPERCOLLINS.

AN EFFICIENT WOMANHOOD, WOMEN IN THE MAKING OF THE UNIVERSAL AND BRUTE -- IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PRESS.

JOHN LEWIS, A LIVE, AUTHORED BY DAVID GREENBERG, PUBLISHED BY SIMON & SCHUSTER.

DISMANTLING THE MASTERS CLOCK, ON RACE, SPACE, AND TIME, AUTHORED BY RASHIDA PHILLIPS, PUBLISHED BY AK PRESS.

KING OF THE NORTH, MLK’S LIFE OF STRUGGLE OUTSIDE OF THE SOUTH, AUTHORED BY JEAN THEO HARRIS, PUBLISHED BY THE NEW PRESS.

BUILDING THE BLACK CITY, THE TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICAN LIFE, AUTHORED BY JILL WILLIAM TROTTER JUNIOR, PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS.

ANOTHER WORD FOR LOVE, A MEMOIR COME OF THEREBY CARVELL WALLACE, PUBLISHED BY MCD.

AND FINALLY, BELONGING, AND INTIMATE HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND FAMILY IN EARLY NEW ENGLAND, OTHER BY GLORIA MCCANN WHITING, PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS.

JOIN US FOR THIS YEAR’S CEREMONY ON OCTOBER 9 AT THE AFRICAN MEETINGHOUSE OF BOSTON, HOSTED BY OUR VERY OWN CALLIE CROSSLEY.

VISIT MAAH STONEBROOK AWARD TO LEARN MORE.

PARIS: WELCOME BACK TO "GBH NEWS ROOTED."

WE ARE HERE WITH OUR BOSTON CITY COUNCIL OR THANKS SO MUCH FOR STICKING AROUND HERE.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HOW THAT COMES INTO PLAY AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION POLICY HERE IN BOSTON, AND WE KNOW THAT THE SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IS GOING THROUGH SOME TURMOIL RIGHT NOW, GIVEN WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH STEVE TOMPKINS.

WE KNOW THAT SUFFOLK COUNTY CUT ITS TIES WITH ICE AND 2019, BUT IS THERE CONCERN AMONG THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL THAT IF LEADERSHIP CHANGES THAT COMMITMENT TO NOT WORKING WITH ICE COULD ALSO CHANGE?

>> WE HAVE TO FOLLOW IN THE CITY OF BOSTON THE TRUST ACT, THAT IS OUR LAW, AND WE STATE THAT OUR BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT ENGAGED IN THE WORK OF CIVIL DEPORTATIONS.

WHAT PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND IS IF THEY CAME FORWARD WITH CREDIBLE CONCERNS REGARDING KIDNAPPING OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, A CRIMINAL DETAINER, THAT WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE.

NO ONE IS TRYING TO STAND IN THE WAY OF THEM GOING AFTER PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN CRIMES AND WHO MAY BE DEPORTABLE.

WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS THAT THE 17-YEAR-OLD WHO IS GOING TO SCHOOL, 34-YEAR-OLD WHO WORKS INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN, THAT THOSE PEOPLE ARE OUR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, AGAIN, MANY OF WHOM HAD LAWFUL STATUS, BUT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION’SDE-LEGALIZATION CAMPAIGN, WE WANT TO PROTECT THEM.

SO EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE JURISDICTIONS THAT DO NOT HAVE A TRUST ACT LIKE WE DO IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, THERE IS STILL THE MASSACHUSETTS SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT WHICH ISSUED A DECISION THAT STATES THAT JURISDICTIONS CANNOT DETAIN SOMEONE FOR ICE BEYOND THEIR CRIMINAL SENTENCE.

SO THERE ARE PROTECTIONS, BUT LIKE YOU STATED EARLIER, WE ARE TRYING TO DO MORE AND MANY ARE TRYING TO DO MORE ON THE STATEWIDE LEVEL TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSURANCES THAT JURISDICTIONS ARE NOT PARTICIPATING WITH ICE ON CIVIL DEPORTATIONS.

OR THAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED WITH THE LEGAL DEFENSE ACT.

I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THAT WE CAN WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME.

WE CAN TAKE CARE OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN HERE FOR FIVE GENERATIONS, WHO ARE FIVE GENERATION BOSTONIANS WHO ARE VETERANS THAT SERVED OUR COUNTRY, AND WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

THAT’S WHAT MY JOB IS AS A PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ALSO WITH A PARTICULAR EYE TOWARD EQUITY TOWARD THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TOO LONG IGNORED, SIDELINE, AND EXCLUDED BY OUR SYSTEMS.

SO OFTEN, BLACK IMMIGRANTS FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

HAITIAN COMMUNITY ALONE, BOSTON HAS THE SECOND LARGEST PER CAPITA HAITIAN POPULATION.

THEY’RE EVERYWHERE FROM HER HOSPITALS AS DOCTORS, AS TRANSLATORS, AS CLEANERS.

I’M EMPHASIZING THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY BECAUSE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, PEOPLE WANT TO COME HERE FOR OUR SCHOOLS, OUR HOSPITALS, AND SO MUCH OF THAT IS UNDERGIRDED BY A RICH IMMIGRANT POPULATION, BY THE HAITIAN POPULATION.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUES TO STAND WITH THEM.

PARIS: AT THE SAME TIME THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THE CITY OF BOSTON DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S RULES.

WE KNOW THAT A FEDERAL GUT -- JUDGE HAS BLOCKED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM WITHHOLDING GRANTS FROM SANCTUARY CITIES LIKE BOSTON, BUT WE’VE SEEN MILITARIZED DEPLOYMENTS IN CITIES LIKE D.C. AND L.A., SO SHOULD BOSTON BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT HAPPENING HERE?

>> WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION AND HOW ROBE THEY’RE GOING AND HOW THEY ARE FLOUTING THE LAW AND ENGAGING IN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY, THE JUDGE ISSUED HIS SECOND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO DO BY WITHHOLDING MONEY AND GRANTS, SAID THIS IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL, COERCIVE THREAT.

THAT’S WHAT WE ARE SEEING TIME AND TIME AGAIN FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION.

BOSTON, WHEN YOU ZOOM OUT AND COMPARE US WITH OTHER MAJOR CITIES, WE HAVE BEEN DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNITY POLICING, TO BEING A CITY WHERE PEOPLE FEEL GENERALLY SAFE, THAT DOESN’T MEAN THERE AREN’T NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

ONE PERSON DYING FROM GUN VIOLENCE IS ONE PERSON TOO MANY.

WE HAVE DEEP AND BONNETS ISSUES IN OUR COUNTRY, EVEN IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS WHERE WE HAVE PRETTY GOOD GUN SAFETY LAWS, WE HAVE REASON TO BE CONCERNED.

THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A DISTRACTION FROM THEIR FAILURE TO REALLY LEAD ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTRY.

WHY ARE MY GROCERIES SO HIGH?

WHY’S IT SO HARD FOR MY SON, MY DAUGHTER, TO BUY A HOME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE WE GREW UP?

WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR OUR KIDS TO BE TRAINED ON 21ST CENTURY JOBS?

PARIS: I’M SO GLAD YOU RAISED THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT BOSTON IS AN INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE CITY TO LIVE IN, SUCH THAT THE HOUSING CRISIS IS PUSHING PEOPLE OUT OF BOSTON, INCLUDING IMMIGRANTS OF COLOR.

THE CITY STILL IS A MAJORITY MINORITY CITY, BUT THOSE NUMBERS ARE DECLINING AS PEOPLE MOVE TO THE SUBURBS.

SHOULD BOSTON BE CONCERNED ABOUT, WITH THE SANCTUARY CITY STATUS, MAKING IT MORE OF A TARGET FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING SOME OF THE RICHNESS THESE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES BRING INTO OUR CITY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING ELSEWHERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU LOOK AT SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID THOSE TERRIBLE THINGS ABOUT THE PEOPLE THERE.

BOTH THE MAYOR OF SPRINGFIELD AND THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT HOW THE HAITIAN POPULATION CAME IN AND REVITALIZED A DYING AMERICAN CITY.

I LIVED IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, FOR A YEAR.

SO MANY OF OUR CITIES IN AMERICA ARE STRUGGLING, AND IMMIGRATION HELPS TO UNDERGIRD SUPPORT, STRENGTHEN THOSE CITIES, AND THAT’S WHAT WE SAW AND SPRINKLE, OHIO.

SO YES, WE HAVE REASON TO BE CONCERNED IF THEY ARE ATTACKING OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.

WE KNOW THAT STANDING IN UNITY MAKES A BIG DEAL.

AND I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT BOSTON, WE ARE NOT ANTAGONISTS.

WE ARE HANDS DOWN TRYING TO DO OUR JOB, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE, RESILIENT AND PROSPEROUS CITY, BOSTON FOR 12 YEARS IN A ROW HAD A AAA BOND RATING.

MASSACHUSETTS HAS BEEN RANKED YET AGAIN THE BEST AID IN THE COUNTRY FOR FAMILIES.

WE ARE HANDS DOWN DOING THE WORK.

THIS ADMINISTRATION IS COMING IN WITH ALL THIS DISTRACTION AND NONSENSE, TRYING TO WIN LYRICAL POINTS THROUGH XENOPHOBIA AND RACISM AGAINST BLACK IMMIGRANTS AND LATINOS BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE EVERYDAY, KITCHEN TABLE, ECONOMIC ISSUES THAT ALL AMERICANS ARE FACING, THAT BLACK AMERICANS, THAT IMMIGRANTS ARE FACING.

THEY WANT TO INSTEAD FOCUS ON THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR, FOCUS ON HATE, RATHER THAN SOLVING THESE ISSUES, AND WE KNOW THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY, WHETHER WERE TALKING ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO WERE BROUGHT HERE BY FORCE, OR WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BLACK IMMIGRANTS ALWAYS, ALWAYS GET IT WORSE.

AND THAT’S WHY ACROSS RACIAL, CROSS CLASS SOLIDARITY IN THESE MOMENTS IS IMPORTANT.

THAT’S WHY THE CITY COUNCIL IS STANDING WITH THE MAYOR, STATING THAT WE KNOW WHO WE ARE AND OUR VALUES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR THAT.

I JUST LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT ALMOST EVERYONE HERE HAS AN IMMIGRANT STORY, UNLESS YOU ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF FOLKS WHO WERE BROUGHT HERE BY FORCE VIA SLAVERY, AFRICAN-AMERICANS, OR YOU ARE INDIGENOUS TO THIS LAND.

PARIS: IT’S A GREAT REMINDER, COUNSELOR.

THE FAMOUS KITCHEN TABLE ISSUE IS HOUSING.

IS THE HOUSING STRATEGY IN 2025 THAT BOSTON HAS ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES?

WE KNOW THAT IN 2023 WHEN WE HAD AN INFLUX OF MIGRANTS, WE SAW OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER SYSTEM OVERCAPACITY.

OUR HOUSING STILL IS OVERCAPACITY.

IS THERE A PLAN THERE?

>> WE HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND IN BOSTON.

WE NEED TO DO THE WORK OF BUILDING MORE HOUSING.

WE NEED TO EMPHASIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BOTH AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, THERE’S A MEETING I WAS ON JUST PRIOR TO THIS WITH 31 ACRES AND HOW TO MAKE SURE REBUILDING HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, BUT ALSO THE FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY, BECAUSE WE ARE INCREASINGLY LOSING OUR WORKING-CLASS RESIDENTS.

WE ARE INCREASINGLY LOSING OUR BLACK RESIDENTS, AND THAT INCLUDES OUR BLACK IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS.

SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON HOUSING.

WE ARE OUTPACING EVERYONE IN DEVELOPMENT, AND STILL IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

THAT’S WHY THE LAW REQUIRING ZONING THAT ALLOWS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE HOUSING IS IMPORTANT AND THAT’S WHY WE IN THE CITY OF BOSTON ARE LOOKING AT OUR ZONING TO BUILD MORE HOUSING, WHETHER IT’S THE SQUARES AND STREETS PROGRAM OR WHETHER IT’S THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD ZONING, IT’S ALSO WHY I’M WORKING ON LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD REQUIRE US TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BOTH RENTAL AND HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ON FORMER MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

THERE IS NO ONE SOLUTION TO THIS VERY BIG PROBLEM.

WE ARE DOING OUR PART, AND WE NEED TO DO MORE OF IT.

PARIS: ONE LAST QUESTION, BRIEFLY A MOB HE SLEEP MASSACHUSETTS IS NOT NECESSARILY SANCTUARY STATE.

IS THERE A POINT AT WHICH BOSTON COULD BE CONTENDING WITH THE STATE IN ITS PROTECTION OF IMMIGRANTS HERE?

>> I BELIEVE WE ARE HOPEFULLY ROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

WE HAVE THE TRUST ACT, AND AGAIN, THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH IF THERE IS A CRIMINAL ISSUE, A CRIMINAL DETAINER, AND THERE IS A WARRANT, THERE’S DIFFERENT METHODS, AND THAT’S OUTLINED IN THE TRUST AT FOR COOPERATION.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO ABIDE BY THE TRUST AT LOCALLY, WE ABIDE BY THE LONDON DECISION STATEWIDE WHICH LIMITS JURISDICTIONS FROM ENGAGING IN DEPORTATION WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE REMIND EVERYONE ON WHAT THE FOCUS SHOULD BE.

IT’S EASY TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS, SADLY IN OUR COUNTRY, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH RACIAL JUSTICE WORK LEFT TO DO.

SO MUCH TO DO WITH CONTENDING WITH THE STORY OF OUR NATION AND THIS PROJECT OF DEMOCRACY, THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A DISTRACTION FROM THE REAL ECONOMIC ISSUES THAT PEOPLE FACE.

DEPORTING SOMEONE IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO BUY X. PARIS: THAT IS OUR BOSTON CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT HELPING UNDERSTAND THE FIGHT OF IMMIGRANTS IN THE WAKE OF POLITICAL PRESSURE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

FOR MORE STORIES ON THE INTERSECTION OF RACE, POLICY, AND POWER, STAY WITH US THAT WGBH NEWS.ORG.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ME AT BONJOUR PARIS, AND UNTIL NEXT TIME, STAY INFORMED, STAY ROOTED, AND AS ALWAYS, STAY TUNED.

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