Philadelphia mayor calls Trump migrant idea ‘disgraceful’

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
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(AP) — The mayor of Philadelphia says President Donald Trump’s idea to ship detained migrants to so-called sanctuary cities shows the “contempt” his administration has for basic human dignity. 

Jim Kenney says Philadelphia welcomes immigrants and its diversity is what makes it a great city. 

He says despite Trump’s “disgraceful” use of people as “tools for political retribution,” Philadelphia would “welcome these immigrants just as we have embraced our immigrant communities for decades.” 

Earlier Friday, Trump tweeted he’s “giving strong considerations” to placing “Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only.” 

The tweet came hours after the White House said the idea was no longer under consideration. 

Trump is accusing Democrats of failing to overhaul immigration law. 

Sanctuary cities — like Philadelphia, New York and San Francisco — are places where authorities don’t work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to round up those living in the country illegally.