Despite being a city of immigrants, Hamtramck is not a ‘sanctuary’

Hamtramck has always been a city of immigrants and supportive of immigrant rights. That commitment is being tested by President Trump’s aggressive national deportation of immigrants without allowing them due process. File photo

By Charles Sercombe
President Trump’s administration is continuing its crackdown on deporting illegal immigrants, and is now warning so-called “sanctuary cities” to comply with its enforcement policy.
Trump recently issued an executive order threatening to withhold federal funds to sanctuary cities. However, courts have upheld that sanctuary cities have legal status, and recently a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot withhold federal funds.
Although Hamtramck is home to many immigrants, it is not a sanctuary city.
City officials remain silent on Trump’s policy, despite the mayor and city council being immigrants.
Even more perplexing is that many Hamtramck residents, a number of whom are also immigrants, supported Trump for president in the election – including Mayor Amer Ghalib and Councilmembers Khalil Refai, Muhtasin Sadman and Abu Musa.
The public school district, which has many immigrant students, has designated itself as a “sanctuary,” and will not share the immigrant status of its students with authorities.
The question arises, why didn’t elected officials here ever designate Hamtramck as a sanctuary city?
A few years ago, that question was posed to then-Mayor Karen Majewski, who said: “I don’t think people were using the term ‘sanctuary city’ at the time.”
However, Hamtramck could consider itself a sanctuary city at least in the spirit of the meaning, if not literally.
Back in 2008, Hamtramck’s city council passed an ordinance to give immigrants protections, but they did not go so far as shielding illegal immigrants.
The ordinance forbids police officers from profiling, and also does not allow officers and city employees to inquire about a person’s immigration status. It also allows undocumented immigrants to receive city services.
In 2008, Councilmember Mohammed Hassan boldly declared:
“Nobody can send anybody anywhere – not even the president.”
In recent days, that has proven to be wrong, and Trump’s administration has been criticized for deporting immigrants without giving them the constitutional right of due process – a chance to defend themselves.
Then-Councilmember Anam Miah also downplayed the notion that the government would dare to deport immigrants from here.
“This is a city of brotherly love,” he said.
In the meantime, immigrant advocates are advising those who are challenged by ICE agents at their household to do the following:
o Don’t open your door.
o Ask to see a copy of a warrant through the window, or have it slipped under a door. The document should have the signature of a judge and the name of the person being sought.
o If they do enter your dwelling, remain silent.
o Do not answer questions or sign any papers without your attorney being present.
Posted May 2, 2025