Sanctuary cities have long fueled debates around immigration policies. While some believe that entering the U.S. illegally should result in immediate deportation, others argue that those fleeing danger deserve protection. Sanctuary cities were born from this belief, offering safe harbor to undocumented immigrants.
Now, two local cities—Palm Springs and Cathedral City—are facing increased scrutiny. The Trump administration has put them on notice under Executive Order 13768, titled Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens. This order targets cities, counties, and states the administration believes are obstructing federal immigration law enforcement. The list, however, has been criticized for errors, including misspelled names and the inclusion of sparsely populated counties with minimal relevance to immigration issues, as well as areas known to back the administration’s hardline stance, like Huntington Beach.
Our guests tonight—Brian Harnick, of Romer and Harnick Attorneys, and Sue Abramowitz, Vice President of Palm Desert Sister Cities and a life coach—shared their perspectives. Sue Abramowitz expressed frustration over what she sees as unprofessional handling of the situation. She voiced concern for immigrants and questioned the administration’s approach to enforcing federal immigration laws.
Brian Harnick provided a legal perspective, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is a federal issue. He pointed out the risks when cities instruct local law enforcement not to cooperate with federal authorities, leading to confusion and gaps in enforcement. Harnick noted that lessons from 9/11 highlighted the dangers of poor communication between agencies. He stressed the need for uniformity, stating that local jurisdictions should report undocumented immigrants to the federal government and allow it to handle the process.
As the debate continues, the possibility of suspended or terminated federal grants and contracts looms over sanctuary cities, raising questions about how these policies will evolve and what their future holds.
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By: Fred Roggin
June 2, 2025
