Letters: Under Kenney, Philly hardly a sanctuary

ISSUE | MAYOR KENNEY

Mayor Kenney calls a proposal to end Philadelphia's sanctuary city policy - the practice of refusing to cooperate with the federal government on illegal immigrants - "incredibly dangerous" ("Pa. bill draws Kenney wrath," Thursday). What is incredibly dangerous is to release illegal immigrants - some of them violent criminals - back onto the streets. Perhaps Kenney should read the memorandum by the U.S. Department of Justice's inspector general, its internal watchdog, finding that the practices of sanctuary jurisdictions violate federal law. That should end the excuses proffered by Democratic leaders to defend the dangerous practices of sanctuary jurisdictions.

The memorandum reported that there were 10 large cities and states that serve as sanctuary jurisdictions and received $342,168,401 in Department of Justice grants, including Philadelphia, $16,505,312; New York, $60 million; Chicago, $28.5 million; California, $132.4 million; and Connecticut, $69 million.

|Nick O'Dell, Phoenixville, nickodell16@yahoo.com

Mayor Kenney can be a better leader for Philadelphia by tackling issues such as pension reform and councilmanic prerogative ("Take charge," Sunday). He should urge the School District and teachers' union to hammer out a contract; they've been without one for five years. The union backed Kenney in his run for mayor.

Meanwhile, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. has secured his yearly salary of $300,000 for the next five years. Hite should be a force, with Kenney, to stand up for hard-working, dedicated teachers who inspire students to reach their potential.

|Peter Tobia, Philadelphia, petertobia1@verizon.net