Opinion: Trump wants to deport immigrants. Here’s how L.A. residents can make their city a sanctuary for them.

To the editor: A quote on our Statue of Liberty says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” (“Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration leaves a lot unanswered for sanctuary cities like L.A.,” Nov. 15)

It is a wonderful thing that Los Angeles, the City of Angels, is a sanctuary city (even if Mayor Eric Garcetti is reluctant to use the term). Some of us these days are actually treating immigrants, refugees and Syrians the way we would like to be treated — with a welcome and some shelter, food, medical care and education for our children.

Can residents of Los Angeles extend some love and caring to an immigrant in this City of Angels? Is there an extra warm coat in your closet or some extra canned goods in your cupboards? L.A. angels, please open your hearts and be an active part of this sanctuary city.

Marion Elkerton, North Hollywood

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To the editor: In 1974 Congress passed the National Maximum Speed Law, which demanded that states set the speed limit of highways to 55 mph to save gasoline. If states would not do this, then federal highway funds would be cut off from the states.

I think Congress and the president should treat states allowing sanctuary cities the same way: Cut off all federal funding for any state with cities that deliberately defy the immigration laws of America, starting with California.

Frank Koucky, Carmel Valley, Calif.

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To the editor: Has anyone on the right thought through President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation fantasies?

Federal statistics show there were more than 2.4 million “removals” under President Obama between fiscal years 2000-14, a record number of deportations when compared with previous presidents. Their focus was removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

How will Trump meet his “immediate” deportation goals? Are there another 3 million undocumented Latino gang members standing on street corners waiting to get picked up? Will he go after the vulnerable Latino migrant workers and their families who are such an important part of our agricultural economy? What about non-Latino immigrants?

I’m not asking a rhetorical question — how will this work? And what happens when their friends, classmates, co-workers and neighbors hide these people or fight back? For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, but no one seems to have thought this through. I can’t speak for other states, but the mood suggests we will fight. I will fight.

Students in Los Angeles are walking out of their classes to protest our next chief executive’s plans. Do you think these kids will stand by when the feds come for their classmates? Were they really not aware of the millions deported under Obama?

Trump told Americans we have “open borders” (ever try to cross from Tijuana to California?) and that people are “pouring” in, and they elected him their president. Problem is, it’s not exactly the way Trump sold it.

James Robinson, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Breaking the law is what the Los Angeles Police Department chief advocates? This will really improve crime statistics in his city. And gangs will flood into Los Angeles from south of the border — the welcome mat has been put out by the police chief.

The federal government should withhold federal funding for Los Angeles since it continues to flout federal immigration law.

Robin Hvidston, Upland

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