St. Paul, Worthington mayors clear up confusion over 'sanctuary cities'

After a presidential race rife with promises of walls and deportations, several cities have stepped forward to declare themselves "sanctuary cities."

After St. Paul and Worthington, Minn., joined the roster, mayors Chris Coleman and Mark Kuhle want to make something clear: Even though their cities have declared themselves to be "sanctuary cities," that doesn't mean they're harboring criminals from law enforcement.

What they said they'd like to emphasize is public safety: They told MPR News host Tom Weber Friday that local police are not allowed to inquire about status when interacting with citizens — but they do expect officers to comply with local and federal laws.

Coleman and Kuhle spoke with Weber about rhetoric surrounding sanctuary cities, and what they actually mean when they say they are supporting immigrant populations.

To hear two Minnesota mayors talk about sanctuary cities, select the audio player above.