Speakers urge Ithaca Common Council to reaffirm sanctuary protections; mayor announces resolution for Jan. 22

Dozens of public commenters told the Ithaca Common Council they want the city to reaffirm its sanctuary protections for immigrants, people seeking abortion care and people receiving gender-affirming health care.

Those speaking during the public comment period said federal actions and litigation in other states make local reaffirmation urgent. “I was really proud to see Ithaca pass 3 sanctuary ordinances,” said Scott Heiley, a nearby resident who addressed the council. “We now are facing a second Trump administration… I’ll be here. I’ll have your back as best I can.”

Why it matters: Speakers said reaffirmation is intended to signal that the city will not assist out-of-state efforts to target residents or providers and to reassure patients and providers who travel to Ithaca for care. Several speakers described health-care providers and clinics as already being targeted by out‑of‑state officials.

Several commenters tied the request to specific events and legal actions. Caitlin Hunter, a resident of Enfield who works in Ithaca, referenced recent litigation involving out‑of‑state authorities and said the threats to providers were “no longer abstract.” Adam Hart, who identified himself as chair of the local club of the Ithaca Communist Party USA, urged the council to “reaffirm Ithaca’s sanctuary status for immigrant rights, reproductive freedoms, and gender‑affirming health care.”

Council response: After public comment, the mayor said the administration will bring a resolution to council on Jan. 22 “with the express purpose of reaffirming those existing protections.” The mayor identified the item as a forthcoming council resolution and asked residents to “look for that.” No vote on a reaffirmation resolution occurred at this meeting.

Context and limits: Commenters and some council members also urged the city to focus on routine governance items—audits, staffing key positions and affordability measures—so that reaffirmation does not replace attention to municipal operations. The council did not debate or adopt new ordinance language at this meeting; the mayor’s announcement was a pledge to place a resolution on a future agenda. The council also clarified that any legal or operational protections would be subject to the city’s existing policies and state and federal law.

What’s next: A formal resolution reaffirming existing protections was announced for the Jan. 22 council meeting; advocates and residents urged that city staff also prepare guidance to inform city employees about the sanctuary policies and how they should be applied in interactions with federal law enforcement.