Should Pittsburgh become sanctuary city?

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh's City Council took up a very controversial issue Wednesday afternoon: whether Pittsburgh should become a sanctuary city.

The move could threaten federal funding for the city.

A group of residents petitioned for the public hearing to try and convince the City Council to create and pass formal sanctuary city legislation.

“We will say no more and plan to defend it and offer official sanctuary to these members of our community, no matter where they come from and how they came here,” resident Mel Packer said.

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There were impassioned pleas from dozens of residents, many of whom brought their families, including one immigrant in the country without documentation who spoke through an interpreter.

The petitioners who sparked the public hearing want the city to ban city agencies from collaborating with federal immigration and customs enforcement.

They want legislation similar to cities like Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia.

“We need some action on this,” petitioner Gregory Godels said. “We need more than just a welcoming sign over the city county building.”

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has said he's in favor of changing to the sanctuary status, especially as the city already has several policies in place common to other cities, including one adopted his first year in office that bars Pittsburgh police from asking residents about their immigration status.

“We need to help people and we passed six bills that weren't flags, were not banners, they were bills. That impacts people's lives," Councilman Dan Gilman said.

Gilman authored the bill and supports the city getting the sanctuary city designation.

Councilwoman Darlene Harris has said she has been against the sanctuary city title, but was swayed by the speakers.

“I did hear an awful lot from the other side of how people are feeling,” Harris said.

No one spoke against the designation at the public hearing.

All of this comes as the Trump administration has threatened to cut federal grants for sanctuary cities because he wants to stay true to campaign promises related to border security.

Cox Media Group