Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

CNN Panelist Reminds Ana Navarro, Abby Phillip Why ICE Only Surges To Sanctuary Cities

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Former Republican Councilman Joe Borelli of New York City pointed out to CNN commentator Ana Navarro and “CNN NewsNight” host Abby Phillip Tuesday that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement was only surging agents to “sanctuary cities.”

Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis announced a lawsuit that sought to force the Trump administration to withdraw ICE agents from the state Monday, claiming the federal agency was carrying out an “invasion.” Phillip claimed that massive deployments of ICE agents weren’t taking place in Texas and that President Donald Trump was retaliating against Democrat-led states, prompting Borelli to explain why this was happening,

“Why aren’t they surging in Texas, where there are perhaps more undocumented immigrants —” Phillip asked, before Borelli cut her off with, “Because there’s compliance [from] local law enforcement. You don’t have to have massive, you know, packs of ICE agents doing the job of local law enforcement in non-sanctuary jurisdictions.”

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So-called “sanctuary jurisdictions,” which can be states, cities or counties, limit or prohibit cooperation by state or local agencies with federal immigration enforcement, according to Time magazine. Trump announced Tuesday that he would halt federal funds to “sanctuary” jurisdictions on Feb. 1.

“So you really think that Minneapolis, which I think has a population of maybe 100,000 undocumented immigrants, requires the largest deployment of ICE anywhere in the country?” Phillip asked.

Frey said during an interview that aired Dec. 7 that Minneapolis police would not cooperate with a federal immigration enforcement operation launched in the wake of a growing fraud scandal in Minnesota that officials estimate involves at least $9 billion in funds stolen by Somali scammers. Navarro accused Trump of “targeting” blue states.

“He has absolutely targeted blue states, particularly of people he didn’t like —” Navarro claimed, with Borelli responding, “Sanctuary states. Agreed. Agreed.”

“No, people like J.B. Pritzker. ‘I hate J.B. Pritzker. I hate Gavin Newsom,’” Navarro continued, with Borelli firing back with, “Sanctuary cities. Agreed.”

California passed a “sanctuary state” law in 2017, while Democratic Mayor Barbara Lee of Oakland bragged in August about not cooperating with ICE. Illinois also passed “sanctuary” legislation in 2017, while Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago has also been outspoken in his opposition to ICE’s operations.

“You know exactly that this is retribution,” Navarro claimed. “He himself is saying that this is about being vindictive and retribution and any normal human being that were president would be finding a way to tamp down what is happening in American streets right now, instead of escalating. What’s happening in Minnesota should be condemned by all of us.”

“So you think the fact they’re sanctuary cities has nothing to do with it?” Borelli asked, with Navarro responding, “No, I don’t.”