Sanctuary city debate: in Philly, in Pa., in America

Guests: Domenic Vitiello, Darrell Clarke, Jim Kenney, Richard Alloway

The debate over Philadelphia’s status as a “sanctuary city” is taking place on the local, state, and national level.  President Trump has vowed to defund cities that defy his immigration policy, and the Pennsylvania Senate just approved a bill that would similarly defund Philly for its policy regarding undocumented immigrants. Threats of the potential to lose these revenue streams have caused some city officials to reconsider Mayor Kenney’s support for Philadelphia to remain a sanctuary city.  Today, we’ll talk about the political battle taking place at all levels of government, as well as the economic impact that undocumented immigrants have on Philadelphia with  DOMENIC VITIELLO, Associate Professor of City Planning and Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. We’ll speak with State Senator RICHARD ALLOWAY about his support for a bill that denies funds to Pa. sanctuary cities, and during the hour, we’ll hear from Philadelphia Mayor JIM KENNEY, and from City Council President DARRELL CLARKE to get their takes on the pros and cons of Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status.