ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Officials from the City of Rochester told News 8 Wednesday there were no changes to the city's designated sanctuary city status as sweeping federal immigration changes begin to roll out. Rochester has had a major role in assisting individuals seeking asylum over the past few years, as a result of the crisis downstate. The City of Rochester has maintained sanctuary city status since 1986 with amendments to those policies enacted in 2017 when then-Governor Andrew Cuomo also gave the status to the state. It's more of an umbrella phrase, compared to a binding law, meaning there are protections in place but also supports and resources for those who are not yet a documented citizen. 2017-City-of-Rochester-legislationDownload House passes immigrant detention bill that would be Trump’s first law to sign On Wednesday, President Donald Trump's new leadership at the Justice Department issued a memo directing employees 'step up' immigration enforcement, including directives to investigate state and/or local officials who might try to obstruct new policies. News 8 learned of letters sent to more than 100 political leaders across hundreds of designated sanctuary cities across the country from a group called 'American First Legal' indicating potential criminal charges for those who hinder mass deportations. Under Rochester's amendments to the 2017 sanctuary cities designation status, it states the policies must abide by federal, state and local laws and constitutions while also preserving the right of Rochester to control the use of its funds and personnel and protection of residents. It also states the police department "shall not engage in certain activities solely for the purpose of enforcing immigration." Mercedes Vazquez Simmons is a county legislator in the 22nd district and also the Executive Director of the Latino Youth and Development Center on North Clinton Avenue in Rochester. It is a purely volunteer organization for youth in the Rochester area and receives no federal funding. Vazquez Simmons tells News 8 it's been known immigration changes were coming among those within not only the asylum-seeking community, but those regardless of immigration status, and there is immediate concern. "We're seeing some of the changes taking impact in our communities. We've received quite a bit of calls, several calls from families that have been approached by law enforcement - and what we're telling individuals is to make sure that you have your paperwork with you," she said. "Yes, it's been within the last 48 hours the amount of calls that we've received and it's a simple, it could be a traffic stop, it could be them walking and they're approached by law enforcement to ask for ID. So, we're asking families if you're going to be out and about in our communities make sure that you have your paperwork with you, but you also have rights," Vazquez Simmons added. There are ongoing efforts to educate folks still navigating the documentation process or those who have not yet taken steps to do so and need assistance. "Independent of your status - you do have rights, but you know the laws are the laws and we follow the laws otherwise we'd have the wild west," she said. Fire Recovery Efforts: Ovid restaurant among several picking up the pieces, ‘we knew it was over’ "Interestingly enough what we're finding is many of these calls are coming from Puerto Ricans and Puerto Ricans are American citizens, so it becomes very confusing and very disruptive to our community. Individuals don't know what your nationalities are so we're making folks aware that this may happen, and it can happen at any time and any place," Vazquez Simmons said. In the meantime, a federal judge is already scheduled this week to hear one of several challenges, including from New York, pertaining to President Trump's executive action against birthright citizenship, citing it is unconstitutional.