EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The mayor El Paso and his chief of police on Wednesday said they will honor calls from federal law enforcement partners in need of assistance but will not volunteer municipal officers for immigration enforcement. Mayor Renard Johnson also said his city has one of the lowest crime rates in America and urged residents to go about their business as usual. This, as the nation’s attention is focused on the Southwest border after a slew of executive orders from President Donald Trump to crack down on illegal immigration and foreign drug cartels. “A lot of the laws that are on the books, like human trafficking – that’s a state law; drug trafficking, state law; weapons (violations), state law,” El Paso Police Department Chief Peter Pacillas said on Wednesday. “So, we work together to determine who is the best entity to enforce the law and get the best prosecution. (But) the El Paso Police Department does not enforce immigration laws.” Johnson said El Paso can’t enforce federal laws even if it wanted to because it doesn’t have the resources. “We will follow all laws, especially federal law and state law. I want everyone to know in El Paso you are in a safe community. I want you to be able to go about your day-to-day routine,” the mayor said. Johnson characterized El Paso as a “warm and welcoming community” that is much safer than people outside the border think. He also emphasized how America benefits from the economic activity of the region and spoke about the harmful effects of Trump’s threatened tariffs against Mexico if it doesn’t stop northbound migration into the United States. Trudeau says Canada will respond to US tariffs as Ontario’s premier says Trump ‘declared war’ “The cross-border trade that comes from Mexico, that comes through El Paso and the rest of Texas (into) the United States is in the billions,” he said. “If you put 25% tariffs on any product coming over from Mexico, it ultimately gets on getting passed on to consumers. A lot of the goods we are receiving from Mexico and our trading partners will increase by 25%. So that will hurt our region.” He also decried a Trump administration announcement to send additional troops to the border to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Pentagon to send up to 1,500 active duty troops to help secure US-Mexico border, officials say “I don’t think we need troops in El Paso,” Renard said. “I go back and say we are a very safe community. We are one of the safest cities in the United States and we don’t need troops along our border here because it’s very safe. I want to be very clear to the folks in El Paso, Texas: You do not need to live in fear.” Humanitarian advocates worry minority-majority communities like El Paso could be in the bullseye of enhanced immigration enforcement. One in four residents are foreign born and local officials have estimated the size of the undocumented population at between 40,000 and 70,000. Trump administration throws out policies limiting migrant arrests at sensitive spots like churches Advocates recently told Border Report many in a community that includes mixed-status members (i.e., undocumented parents and native-born children) are fearful of immigration raids not only in workplaces but in schools, hospitals and churches. “These actions erode trust in spaces designed to offer refuge and essential services, striking at the core of our community’s values,” said Aimee Santillan, policy analyst for the Hope Border Institute. “Opening the doors to raids like these means stripping children of their rights to go to school and feel safe, as well as induvial and families to seek the medical care they need and continuing to be part of their faith community.” Immigrant community ‘very fearful’ as Trump makes good on enforcement promises Across the state line in New Mexico, Attorney General Raul Torres on Wednesday issued guidance to community leaders to "mitigate the chilling effects of immigration enforcement actions on individuals seeking essential services." The guidance is summarized in publications reminding individuals and organizations of their Fourth Amendment rights (unreasonable searches and seizures), the rights of immigrant women who have been victims of domestic violence of gender-related crimes, and public safety protocols in public buildings where services are rendered to the public. He encouraged schools, healthcare providers, and places of worship to observe policies that balance legal compliance without giving up safe and welcoming environments. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border "I support enhanced border security and targeted enforcement operations focused on cartel members, violent criminals and anyone who represents a national security risk to our nation," Torrez said. "But rounding up children, crime victims and sick people is beneath the dignity of a great nation."