WATCH THE VIDEO AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF

Mayor Ethan Berkowitz was videotaped at the U.S. Conference of Mayors recently asking questions of immigration experts about how Anchorage could be more proactive in protecting illegal immigrants from federal immigration authorities.

He asks the experts, “In terms of DACA, in terms of Dreamers, in terms of making sure that we are providing every possible legal protection to people who might otherwise be subject to federal immigration authority.”

The experts explain that Berkowitz, a committed Democrat, can always sign on as an amicus (friend of the court) on existing lawsuits, but that’s not satisfying to him. Berkowitz explains he wants to take a more proactive approach in protecting illegal immigrants from the law.

“But I mean those are done in a defensive posture where you are relying on existing constitutional law,” Berkowitz argues. “Is there something proactive that we can…” his voice trails off as Avideh Moussavian, of the National Immigration Law Center, tells him how her group can help him develop model policies for Anchorage.

Here’s the explosive video of Anchorage’s mayor looking for ways to expand the definition of “welcoming city” during a time when crime is at historic highs, when unemployment is climbing, and when citizens are being asked to cough up more in the way of taxes to pay for declining services:

If only Mayor Berkowitz had this level of commitment to fighting crime in Anchorage.