Court Rules Trump Administration Can Withhold Funds from Sanctuary States, New York City
February 26 2020 - 01:42PM
Dow Jones News
By Deanna Paul
A federal appeals court said the Trump administration can
withhold funds from New York City and seven states that have
declared themselves sanctuaries from federal immigration policies,
setting the stage for possible U.S. Supreme Court action.
Wednesday's decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in
New York said President Trump acted within his authority when he
signed an executive order in January 2017 to withhold federal funds
from states that resisted helping federal efforts to enforce
immigration laws.
The 2nd Circuit overturned a lower court's 2018 order requiring
Mr. Trump to release federal funds to New York City and seven
states -- New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington,
Massachusetts, Virginia and Rhode Island.
The city and states had sued the Trump administration, arguing
the funds were withheld for political purposes. Local
law-enforcement officials have said cooperating with federal
immigration agencies would discourage immigrants from reporting
crimes and cooperating with investigations.
The 2nd Circuit's decision conflicts with rulings on the same
issue rendered by three other federal appeals courts, potentially
leaving it to the Supreme Court to ultimately decide.
The ruling is the latest move in a yearslong battle between the
Trump administration and the sanctuary jurisdictions.
The Justice Department has previously said it can impose
conditions on local jurisdictions that receive federal grants,
including receiving access to illegal immigrants housed in prisons
and jails and notice of their release date.
"These conditions help the federal government enforce national
immigration laws and policies supported by successive Democratic
and Republican administrations," the 77-page decision authored by
Judge Reena Raggi said.
A spokesman for the Justice Department called the ruling a
"major victory for Americans."
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 26, 2020 13:27 ET (18:27 GMT)
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