A new study by The Center for American Progress has identified five major programs and grants totaling around $870 million that the federal government can withhold from jurisdictions who refuse to work with ICE. Pres. Trump’s Jan. 25 executive order instructed DHS to identify sanctuary jurisdictions and federal funding that could be cut off to these jurisdictions.
The five federal programs and grants listed in the study are:
- The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, which helps states and local government with a range of criminal justice needs.
- U.S. Economic Development Administration grants, which help “economically distressed areas” with public works projects and other economic development opportunities.
- The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which reimburses jurisdictions for the costs associated with detaining immigrants.
- The Community Development Block Grant program, which helps states and cities fund housing, infrastructure, and business development projects.
- The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, which provides funding to allow law enforcement agencies to hire additional community policing officers and staff, as well as technical assistance support.
California, whose governor just announced the state is facing a $1.6 billion shortfall, would be hit the hardest. The state risks losing $239.5 million or 27.5% of the national’s total due to its sanctuary polices.
The next top 4 states are New York ($191.1 million), Illinois ($91.3 million), Pennsylvania ($65.2 million), and Maryland ($35 million).
Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform said, “Even in a place like California, it’s going to be a hard thing to explain to people. I don’t think people are coming to grips with losing the money.”
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