Mayor Jon Mitchell wants to make it clear, New Bedford is not a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.

Speaking on his weekly radio program, Mitchell says the City just doesn't fit the bill when it comes to the definition of a sanctuary city. "The term has been commonly used as one in which there is an official policy, or even an unofficial policy, that says that the police department should not report illegal immigrants, undocumented workers, whatever you want to call them, to federal authorities when they commit a crime. That's not the policy in New Bedford," says Mitchell.

This week, Sherriff Tom Hodgson outlined what he sees as cracks in the nation's immigration system, that have limited the ability of sherriffs to keep illegal immigrants detained for deportation.

Mitchell says the City cooperates with federal law enforcement officials when illegal immigrants commit crimes.

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