Good morning: The Public Rights Project, who has been coordinating litigation on behalf of local governments in several cases including San Francisco v. Trump, has asked that I pass along the below press release sign-on opportunity (scroll down below my signature block). They are doing this in anticipation of the list of sanctuary jurisdictions that will be released today (or that we at least expect to be released). Thanks, Amanda [logo]<https://imla.org/> [facebook icon]<https://www.facebook.com/InternationalMunicipalLawyersAssociation/>[twitter icon]<https://twitter.com/imlalegal>[linkedin icon]<https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-municipal-lawyers-association-inc./> Amanda Karras (she/her) Executive Director / General Counsel International Municipal Lawyers Association P: (202) 466-5424 x7116 D: (202) 742-1018 51 Monroe St. Suite 404 Rockville, MD, 20850 Plan Ahead! See IMLA’s upcoming events<https://imla.org/events/>, calls and programming. I write to ask that you sign-on to a statement that Public Rights Project has prepared in anticipation of the Trump administration issuing a public list of sanctuary jurisdictions. This list will target jurisdictions — regardless of whether they identify as a “sanctuary city” — for potential suspension and termination of federal funding. We are requesting that local elected officials join individually by 3 p.m. ET tomorrow, Wednesday, May 28. Sign-on link is here.<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__publicrightsproject.cmail19.com_t_t-2Dl-2Dgsmhl-2Dtidyukuidl-2Dr_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=jblVzryv37xz6dGHTIBd0omyr7IZ_ghleJygNWPo2JE&m=BVFtplWBZool4rAmbu7hDDUipDdRpsWVX_UUkiov8s9QpwEvbPZYHAWoqKh6jy-a&s=CEFMGuDj2O1B4liOSj7lemfmygaBZtIqfONaLEC22IA&e=> Background As you are likely aware, President Trump issued an executive order<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__publicrightsproject.cmail19.com_t_t-2Dl-2Dgsmhl-2Dtidyukuidl-2Dy_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=jblVzryv37xz6dGHTIBd0omyr7IZ_ghleJygNWPo2JE&m=BVFtplWBZool4rAmbu7hDDUipDdRpsWVX_UUkiov8s9QpwEvbPZYHAWoqKh6jy-a&s=Jp51p6w46mwvO0h1yfuuH2wDvc98y_lxZYw5dApUWhI&e=> on April 28: “Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall publish a list of States and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws (sanctuary jurisdictions).” The EO also instructs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to make jurisdictions aware of their designation, and then for agencies to take steps to terminate and/or freeze federal funding The Response It is imperative that local governments push back against these efforts. Public Rights Project is already working with a coalition of 16 jurisdictions in ongoing litigation — which has secured a preliminary injunction against broad terminations of funding. An immediate response to the publication of the sanctuary jurisdiction list, explaining the position of a large group of local government leaders, is an important next step. Below, please find a copy of the draft statement. Please add your name to the list of signatories here: Add My Name<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__publicrightsproject.cmail19.com_t_t-2Dl-2Dgsmhl-2Dtidyukuidl-2Di_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=jblVzryv37xz6dGHTIBd0omyr7IZ_ghleJygNWPo2JE&m=BVFtplWBZool4rAmbu7hDDUipDdRpsWVX_UUkiov8s9QpwEvbPZYHAWoqKh6jy-a&s=Ly6qUqkmHUah6FsiFwg7C45omE4VywgSk2rPNorMSYI&e=> The deadline to join is 3 p.m. ET tomorrow, Wednesday. And kindly consider sharing with colleagues and officials in other communities<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__publicrightsproject.forwardtomyfriend.com_t-2Dtidyukuidl-2D674912C0-2Dgsmhl-2Dl-2Dh&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=jblVzryv37xz6dGHTIBd0omyr7IZ_ghleJygNWPo2JE&m=BVFtplWBZool4rAmbu7hDDUipDdRpsWVX_UUkiov8s9QpwEvbPZYHAWoqKh6jy-a&s=KCn8uEpgD2U7aA_9K0RHazpBIJLSi5h1JRzm6LLDzAE&e=> that might be interested in joining. Once the list comes out, Public Rights Project will post the statement to our website and share our position together with the public through social media and national press. We encourage you to do the same. Many thanks for your consideration, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. All my best, Jon Jonathan Miller Chief Program Officer Public Rights Project 646-831-6113 | jon@publicrightsproject.org<mailto:jon@publicrightsproject.org> He / him / his Location: Boston, MA Sanctuary policies are legal and make us all safer. These laws limit using local resources — such as public employees’ time, money, and facilities — to assist with federal civil immigration enforcement. When local law enforcement isn’t viewed as an extension of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), research shows neighborhoods are safer. People are more likely to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, and come forward as witnesses. Sanctuary policies also enhance economic stability and public health by ensuring that all residents feel welcome and can fully contribute to civil society. Our jurisdictions prioritize the safety and well-being of all residents and ensure that our limited resources are used to support local community members. These executive orders and other administrative actions are fear tactics. To be clear, the Trump administration is once again asserting power it doesn’t have. This time, it’s to coerce compliance with its federal immigration agenda. What’s happening is a blatantly illegal attempt to sidestep the courts and bully local governments into doing ICE’s job by threatening to cut off billions in federal funding. This funding is taxpayer money meant to serve local communities, not be held for ransom. Millions of people rely on these dollars for critical services and programs like roads and public transit, homelessness prevention, gang violence prevention, disaster relief, health care, opioid treatment, victim services and emergency response. We have won this fight before — and we will win again. The administration’s actions and threats defy the Constitution and decades of legal precedent. The courts rejected this playbook in 2017, and the law hasn’t changed. More recently, on April 24, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__publicrightsproject.cmail19.com_t_t-2Dl-2Dgsmhl-2Dtidyukuidl-2Dd_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=jblVzryv37xz6dGHTIBd0omyr7IZ_ghleJygNWPo2JE&m=BVFtplWBZool4rAmbu7hDDUipDdRpsWVX_UUkiov8s9QpwEvbPZYHAWoqKh6jy-a&s=FlAC8anHDvseuiIZk90BgUC_l3wLAikkcOVau56L0dA&e=> blocking enforcement of the executive order, preserving funding for now. The judge agreed that the communities faced immediate harm and are likely to prevail, as the administration’s orders are just as unconstitutional today as they were eight years ago. We stand united as a coalition and call on our fellow local leaders to join us.