Over the past decade, when Stephanie Miner was mayor, she openly embraced refugees calling Syracuse a sanctuary city. But, as President Donald Trump weaponizes that term and sends in ICE agents to conduct raids at other cities around the country, current Mayor Ben Walsh wants to set the record straight.
“I was mayor during the first Trump administration; we were not considered a sanctuary city," he said. "Whether we are now or not, again, is unclear to me. A list was published and then removed.”
Walsh says Syracuse police are not conducting immigration raids but says they will arrest any lawbreakers. He says he personally never considered Syracuse a sanctuary city, but rather a welcoming and proud refugee resettlement community that won’t ask your immigration status.
Onondaga County executive Ryan McMahon echoed the mayor’s thoughts. McMahon says he’s not aware of a single ICE raid that has occurred in Syracuse or the county but, says it would be concerning, if it did happen.
