New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who supports laws to limit the size of sugary drinks New Yorkers can buy and has banned tobacco use in several venues, took to Twitter on Sunday to call President Trump's tough stance on sanctuary cities a "federal overreach."
Trump signed an executive order last month condemning sanctuary cities that protect undocumented immigrants in violation of federal law. The order called for tougher measures to enforce the country's immigration laws and not tolerate safe havens for those who violate them.
But de Blasio said he will not allow his city's police to ask anyone about their immigration status, calling efforts to detain illegal immigrants who do not commit serious or violent crimes "federal overreach."
"We will continue to stand with the nearly 40 percent of New Yorkers who are foreign born–documented or undocumented," he wrote on Twitter. "We will use all of the tools at our disposal to protect them from any federal overreach. New Yorkers should know that City officials, including the NYPD, will never ask about your immigration status."
We will continue to stand with the nearly 40 percent of New Yorkers who are foreign born – documented or undocumented.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) February 12, 2017
We will use all of the tools at our disposal to protect them from any federal overreach.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) February 12, 2017
New Yorkers should know that City officials, including the NYPD, will never ask about your immigration status.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) February 12, 2017
Critics of de Blasio said that it was ironic for him criticize federal overreach while telling his city's police officers to ignore federal law.
The federal government enforcing immigration laws isn't "overreach." Rather De Blasio ordering police to ignore federal law is the overreach https://t.co/MeyhLNDy4Z
— Scott Ruesterholz (@Read_N_Learn) February 12, 2017
Others called de Blasio a hypocrite for lambasting Trump for using the power of the government excessively while he has tried to push a soda ban in New York and a tobacco ban in numerous venues in the city.
But drink Coke from a Styrofoam cup, and you'd better be ready for jail. https://t.co/O89Uszfdc9
— FreeInDeed (@family4christ) February 13, 2017
But if you try to sell a "onesie" cigarette we're taking you down to the pavement. #LiberalLoonUpdate https://t.co/jCIu8k0zwk
— Sen. Frank Niceley (@SenFrankNiceley) February 12, 2017
Some also noted that de Blasio has been an outspoken proponent of strong gun control, arguing that his predecessor, Michael Bloomberg, did not go far enough in his restrictions on the Second Amendment.
"but GFY if you want to exercise your 2nd amendment rights in my city" https://t.co/ZFnDvHrGVl
— HowbowdahHokie (@heavyhokie) February 13, 2017
De Blasio also supported a measure that made it illegal for someone to list a New York city apartment on Airbnb.com.