The City of Coachella voted in favor of becoming an official sanctuary city on Wednesday night. The vote was unanimous.
The City of Coachella votes unanimously to make the city a #SanctuaryCity pic.twitter.com/Azu64CETLO
— Coachella Uninc (@coachellauninc) August 24, 2017
Coachella joins Cathedral City as the only two communities to vote in favor of being an official sanctuary city.
Donald Trump and many Republicans say sanctuary cities allow criminals to go free and commit crimes, instead of being deported, notes the New York Times. Meanwhile, numerous law enforcement officials say they do not want the job of enforcing federal immigration laws and say that they rely on immigrants to come forward and report crimes.
Cheers in & outside city hall where Coachella council unanimously approve sanctuary city pic.twitter.com/maNEk3tmMK
— Sherry Barkas (@TDSSherryBarkas) August 24, 2017
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said in March that reports of sexual assault among the city’s Latino population dropped 25% this year due to the fear of speaking to authorities, reports the LA Times.
“Imagine, a young woman, imagine your daughter, your sister, your mother … not reporting a sexual assault, because they are afraid that their family will be torn apart,” Beck said.
