Mayor Randall Woodfin says Birmingham police will not assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers, as they work to enforce the law. Woodfin says it's part of his plan to declare Birmingham a "welcoming city." The city council last year passed a symbolic sanctuary city resolution. Alabama law effectively prohibits sanctuary cities, so Woodfin's "welcoming city" proposal appears to be an attempt to accomplishing similar objectives within the law. Woodfin's predecessor, William Bell, also floated a "welcoming city" plan. Woodfin told NPR the policy goes beyond the scope of a sanctuary city, by offering unspecified forms of assistance to illegal immigrants. Woodfin's declaration comes after an illegal immigrant last week was arrested in Jasper and charged with the attempted abduction of a woman. Police called in ICE for assistance in identifying the suspect.