While the City of Akron is not a “Sanctuary” city, like the city of Portland, Oregon, for example; it is a town that has long been known for welcoming immigrants, and providing them with a safe place to live, work, and and prosper.

But now, with heavy-handed US Immigration Enforcement Agency (ICE)  tactics that have resulted in the rounding up and detention of thousands of immigrants, as well as the  the recent deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis who were protesting those actions; the city of Akron is taking a stand in the form of a resolution passed unanimously earlier this week by City Council, which was proposed by Akron Mayor, Shammas Malik.

He was on the air with Ray Horner this morning, talking about why Akron is pushing back against four proposed state laws that are being considered now in the Ohio legislature, which if passed; would mandate that city employees and law enforcement agencies, work hand-in-hand with federal immigration enforcement.

There is also a move afoot in Congress, which would do essentially the same thing. In fact, Ohio’s 4th District Republican US Representative, Jim Jordan, is now talking about introducing federal legislation that would outlaw Sanctuary cities, and penalize them for policies that do not support federal immigration policies.

Listen now, as Malik talks about why Akron wants to remain a safe and welcoming space for refugees and immigrants, and how the city routinely cooperates with federal agencies, like the US Marshals Service, for example. But ICE , he says, is different.

Find out why:

Akron Mayor, Shammas Malik