Appearing at a press conference in Philadelphia on Monday, Senator Pat Toomey spoke out against Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status. His comments did not go unanswered.

Toomey’s stance on the city policy which prevents local police from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement is nothing new. He was joined at the press conference by State Rep. Martina White who is currently sponsoring a bill that would punish sanctuary cities for any damages or incidents that might occur due to the status.  

According to CBS Philly, Toomey said a “vast majority” of city police disagree with Philly’s sanctuary city status.

New Sanctuary Movement (NSM), a Philadelphia-based immigrant advocacy organization issued a statement addressing Toomey’s statements.

“If Philadelphia stops being a sanctuary city, we will not feel safe to leave our homes, or to live a normal life,” said Estela Hernandez of NSM in the statement. “We will be very afraid. If Senator Toomey is Catholic, he should give people a second chance. He should put himself in our shoes, to understand our sufferings, and should know we love our kids the same as he loves his kids.”

Reverend Leonard Dow, pastor of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church also released a statement.

“It is commonly understood by the great religions that a key measurement of a society’s moral compass is how we treat the most vulnerable and disenfranchised in our communities,” he said. “Sadly, today’s action sends another signal that the moral compass of the Senate is askew.”

The incumbent Toomey will face Democratic challenger Katie McGinty in the general election this November.