### Blue States Mobilize to Resist Trump's Mass Deportation Plans

LOS ANGELES - In the aftermath of Donald Trump's election, blue state governors, city leaders, advocacy groups, and the nation's second-largest school district are initiating measures to counteract anticipated mass deportations. Cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia have announced their commitment to protecting unauthorized residents from the deportation efforts promised by the incoming Trump administration.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has declared itself a sanctuary for migrants, while the ACLU of Southern California has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to gain transparency on the administration’s deportation strategies. Although local officials acknowledge that their policies and declarations cannot prevent deportations outright, they believe their efforts will at least slow down enforcement.

Philadelphia Councilmember Rue Landau highlighted the heightened fear among communities, stating, "People's fear is incredibly high. They are bracing for the worst, and it's up to us as local leaders to show the strength of our cities." Conversely, Trump has argued that deporting individuals living illegally in the U.S. is a necessity, saying "there is no price tag" on the mission's success.

Opponents of mass deportation argue the policy risks tearing families apart and discourages undocumented residents from engaging with law enforcement, potentially making communities less safe. Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr. from Los Angeles emphasized that sanctuary cities represent a moral stance to uphold human dignity and ensure that all residents, regardless of immigration status, can live without fear.

Supporters of Trump’s policy, on the other hand, claim illegal immigration contributes to crime, depresses wages, and takes away jobs from U.S. citizens. Incoming border czar Tom Homan echoed this sentiment, noting that Trump has a "mandate from the American people" to secure the border. Homan has even threatened potential jail time for local officials, such as Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who have pledged to resist the administration's plans.

Trump is expected to sign several executive orders on immigration after taking office on January 20, and is contemplating withholding federal grants from non-compliant law enforcement agencies. Such strategies faced significant legal challenges during Trump’s first term, and experts like Hiroshi Motomura from UCLA suspect similar hurdles could arise again.

In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to "Trump-proof" his state by calling a special legislative session in December focused on defending progressive policies. Los Angeles has subsequently passed a law prohibiting city resources and employees, including the police, from assisting in federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Los Angeles County is home to an estimated 951,000 unauthorized residents, representing almost a tenth of its population of 10 million. Within the Los Angeles Unified School District, which serves 400,000 students, approximately 30,000 are without legal documentation.

Advocates in other regions are taking similar stands. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu affirmed her commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants by all available means, while Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey emphasized the use of "every tool in the toolbox" to protect residents. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stressed the city's unwavering values and resolve in the face of stringent immigration policies.

During Trump's first term, his administration deported about 1.4 million people, a figure surpassed by the 1.6 million deportations projected under President Joe Biden’s term. Former President Barack Obama’s administration deported approximately 3 million. The lower deportation figures under Trump’s administration have been partly attributed to sanctuary policies that hindered local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration agents.