The Department of Justice warned nine jurisdictions that they could lose federal grant funds unless they demonstrate compliance with federal anti-sanctuary law. The jurisdictions are Chicago, Cook County Ill. (encompasses Chicago), New Orleans, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Miami, Milwaukee, New York City and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
In a letter to the nine, the Department said the Office of Justice Programs Byrne JAG grant is subject to compliance with 8 USC § 1373, which prohibits restrictions on communications and information sharing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It said the Department "expects each of these jurisdictions to comply with this grant condition and to submit all documentation to the Office of Justice Programs by June 30, 2017, the deadline imposed by the grant agreement."
The Department’s website says the Byrne JAG grant “provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.” It provided state and local jurisdictions about $2.2 billion in funds last fiscal year.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a Justice Department press release said sanctuary cities are “crumbling under the weight of illegal immigration and violent crime.” It also mentioned an increase in Chicago murders and New York City gang violence.
Read more in the Los Angeles Times.
