MAPLEWOOD TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY WITHOUT THE "SANCTUARY" LABEL

The Township moved closer to being a so-called "sanctuary city," but without the word "sanctuary" in the name.

At Tuesday's Township Committee meeting the governing body gave initial approval to a draft resolution that does not include "sanctuary" in the description, choosing instead the term, "welcoming."

"By not using the term sanctuary, it can gain more support," Mayor Vic Delcua said. "There is a downside to that" term.

He was referring to the negative connotations that "sanctuary" can draw and the concerns over potential sanctions or loss of funding with which some communities have been threatened.

"I think doing it this way can address some concerns," said TC Member Ian Grodman, who first proposed the idea weeks ago. 

The proposal was first offered Nov. 14 with the idea that it would be a way to protect immigrants, both documented and undocumented, and send a message that Maplewood will not seek to support efforts to enforce federal immigration laws, but will not violate the law either.

See some of the discussion below:




The TC plans to vote on the specific resolution in early 2017.