Sanctuary cities are not simple to define, create, Bloomington lawyers say

In the days since President Donald Trump signed executive orders severely limiting immigration to the United States and bolstering immigration enforcement within U.S. borders, the city has heard from a growing number of concerned residents hoping the city will take a stance on possible sanctuary status, said Philippa Guthrie, corporation counsel for the city of Bloomington.

Protesters who gathered downtown Sunday and marched from the courthouse square to City Hall advocated for Bloomington to “commit itself to sanctuary,” according to a news release announcing the rally.

What sanctuary means, however, hasn’t been defined on a federal, state or local level, said Christie Popp, a Bloomington lawyer who has practiced immigration law for a decade.

Most sanctuary cities aim to protect undocumented immigrants within city borders by not cooperating with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who handle deportation.