Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said he now supports greater cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, marking a shift from earlier support for sanctuary city policies as border conditions have changed.
Fetterman made the comments during an exchange with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, who pressed him on whether he still believes sanctuary cities make communities safer.
“Do you still agree with that tonight? Is that still your position that sanctuary cities make people safer?” Collins asked.
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Fetterman said his views have evolved as the situation at the border has worsened and argued that policy adjustments are necessary.
“I think at that time, the dynamic has changed much differently, and the border has become more and more increasingly more difficult,” Fetterman said.
“So so for me now, I think it’s entirely appropriate to make the adjustment. Adjustments, and I do think, I do think, at this point we should be turning over all the criminals that are in custody and all these jurisdictions.”
His remarks reflect a departure from positions long associated with Democratic leadership in major cities, where local officials have resisted cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
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Collins referenced that divide by pointing to Minnesota, where Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has opposed compliance with federal immigration laws.
“Does that, I mean, for Minneapolis, obviously you’re the senator from Pennsylvania, but in Minnesota, Jacob Frey, the mayor, says he doesn’t believe that they should cooperate with those federal enforcement laws,” Collins said.
“So you do believe that they should be cooperating more with the Trump administration?”
Fetterman said cooperation is appropriate when individuals in custody are involved in criminal conduct and emphasized deportation following conviction.
“What I do, what I do believe, is that if there are low law enforcement that have these people in custody that you know, that are behaving in criminal behavior, then yes, they should,” Fetterman said.
“They should cooperate with that and those individuals, if they’re convicted, should be deported.”
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Fetterman’s comments come as immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies remain central political issues nationwide.
Under President Donald Trump, federal agencies have emphasized enforcement of existing immigration laws, including cooperation from state and local jurisdictions in transferring custody of individuals accused or convicted of crimes.
Sanctuary city policies have been defended by Democratic officials who argue they encourage community trust and public safety.
Critics, including Republican lawmakers and immigration enforcement advocates, have argued that such policies obstruct federal law and allow criminal offenders to remain in the country.
Fetterman’s remarks place him at odds with many Democratic officials while aligning more closely with arguments long made by Republicans regarding cooperation with federal authorities.
His comments also highlight internal divisions within the Democratic Party over immigration enforcement, particularly as border pressures increase and public opinion shifts.
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