Rochester City Council discusses sanctuary city policy amid federal litigation

The Rochester City Council Committee Meeting held on June 5, 2025, focused on significant legislative discussions, including domestic violence awareness and the city’s sanctuary policies.

The meeting commenced with a discussion on legislation aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence. A council member emphasized the importance of internal policies that support employees facing such situations, allowing them to take necessary time off to address personal matters. The council unanimously passed this motion, highlighting the need for ongoing conversations about domestic violence support.

Following this, the committee transitioned to introductory number 250, which pertains to amending the municipal code to affirm Rochester as a sanctuary city for immigrants and the LGBTQIA+ community. The discussion was initially opened to the council members, but a motion was made to enter an executive session to address legal issues related to this amendment. The rationale for this motion stemmed from ongoing litigation involving the city and the United States government, which challenges the current sanctuary city policy.

The motion to enter executive session was seconded and passed, allowing the council to discuss sensitive legal matters privately before further deliberation on the sanctuary city amendment.

The meeting concluded with no additional business, and the committee adjourned, emphasizing the importance of these discussions for the community's welfare and legal standing. The council's next steps will likely involve further discussions on the sanctuary city policy following the executive session.