Springfield Joins Ranks of Sanctuary Cities, Over Objections of Mayor

Springfield city officials can’t ask people about their immigration status and Springfield police can’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities unless they have a warrant under a new local ordinance approved by the city council.

The council overrode a veto by Mayor Dominic Sarno on Monday night, enacting the so-called “Welcoming Community Trust Ordinance.”

The council voted 10-1 to override the veto, more than the two-thirds needed. The result was expected, since the council approved the ordinance 10-3 on December 17, before the mayor vetoed it.

The new ordinance includes the following provisions:

“A. A city official shall not question persons they encounter about their immigration status unless such inquiry is required by state or federal law or to provide a public benefit. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Springfield Police department from using other investigatory tools to establish information about a suspect of crime.”

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