PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Bristol County sheriff is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s claim that he has been considering sending undocumented migrants to “sanctuary cities.”
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, who has been a longtime supporter of Trump and his policies, backed the idea on Monday morning’s “Fox and Friends.”
“These people who are saying, ‘We’re going to decide what laws to follow or not,’ then create these sanctuaries and attract these criminal illegal aliens… well you know what, God bless them. They can have those people in their communities,” Hodgson said. “Why should we punish the people in those communities where the elected officials are standing with the president to uphold the laws of this nation? They have a right to be safe.”
Hodgson visited the White House in February, meeting with the Trump and other sheriffs about border security.
On Monday, Trump tweeted, “Those Illegal Immigrants who can no longer be legally held (Congress must fix the laws and loopholes) will be, subject to Homeland Security, given to Sanctuary Cities and States!”
In Rhode Island, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza considers the capital city a sanctuary city.
“The suggestion of doing something like that is really irresponsible. As an executive, as a leader, to think you would make people or use them as bargaining chips. That’s just irresponsible,” Elorza said.
Elorza questioned whether or not Trump will follow through with his idea, saying he wants to see more details before he takes the idea seriously.
“Keep in mind if these people are pushed to the sanctuaries, it’ll be much easier for ICE we’ll know where they all are,” Hodgson said.
