Low level theft is OK. You gotta provide for your family…
ALISYN CAMEROTA: But there are some sanctuary cities, and maybe New York City is one of them, that says that they will not work with ICE agents even for people in jails. Even for people suspected of being undocumented immigrants in their jails. Why not hand over the people who have committed these crimes to ICE agents?
BILL DE BLASIO: Another misunderstanding about so-called sanctuary cities. Here’s a list right heree of 170 offenses that if someone is undocumented, they commit this offense, we will work with ICE and they will be deported.
CAMEROTA: But are those low-level offenses or high-level offenses?
DE BLASIO: No. These are serious crimes, these are serious crimes, violent crimes. Even possession of a weapon, for example, of any kind. 170 offenses that if an undocumented person commits, that triggers by New York City law, cooperation with ICE for deportation.
CAMEROTA: How about theft?
DE BLASIO: Well here’s an example. Theft, violent, any theft involving a weapon, for example —
CAMEROTA: Not violent. Just a regular, low-level crime.
DE BLASIO: There are very low-level crimes, for example, small amounts of marijuana possession. Going through a stoplight that doesn’t cause any damage to anyone, those are areas where we will not work to see someone deported. Why? Because these are members of a family in our community, say it’s the breadwinner in that family. So you deport the breadwinner and the rest of the family, including the children, are left without anyone. You tear a family apart. That’s not good government. That’s not in my view moral.