News

Actions

Mayor Kriseman calls St. Pete a sanctuary city

Posted at 6:32 PM, Feb 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-06 18:32:14-05

St. Petersburg Mayor, Rick Kriseman has declared the community a sanctuary city after hearing President Trump plans to crackdown on immigration.

 

“I have no hesitation in declaring St. Petersburg a sanctuary from harmful federal immigration laws. We will not expend resources to help enforce such laws, nor will our police officers stop, question or arrest an individual solely on the basis that they may have unlawfully entered the United States,” said Kriseman.

 

Feelings are mixed among people in St. Petersburg.

 

“I stand behind it I'm very proud that he did it we are a very open community,” said Jane Carmody.

 

Matt Lettelleir with the Pinellas County Republican Party said Kriseman is pulling a stunt.

 

“He’s just trying to do this stunt, because he’s got a reelection coming up this fall,” said Lettelleir.

 

Lettelleir believes in tougher immigration laws.

 

“These people have already broken the law by being here in the first place,” said Lettelleir.

 

Kriseman said he will take his fight to court if the federal government strips his city of federal funds of the sanctuary city debate.