Another Federal Judge Smacks Down Another Trump Administration Policy – This Time on Sanctuary Cities

Cities Including Chicago ‘Would Suffer Irreparable Harm’ Judge Rules

A federal judge has just ruled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions cannot withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities. 

Granting a preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber in Chicago Friday afternoon blocked a Dept. of Justice policy requiring sanctuary cities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities over undocumented immigrants to be eligible to receive public safety grants. 

“The U.S. Department of Justice wants to require sanctuary cities like Chicago to give notice when immigrants in the country illegally are about to be released from custody and allow immigration agents access to local jails,” The Chicago Tribune reports, explaining Judge Leinenweber’s ruling. “The new standards would also require local authorities to give 48 hours’ notice “where practicable” before releasing from custody people who federal immigration agents suspect of being in the country illegally.”

The City of Chicago brought the lawsuit, arguing the Attorney General exceeded his authority in threatening to withhold millions of dollars. The injunction applies to cities nationwide.

“The court finds that the city has established that it would suffer irreparable harm if a preliminary injunction is not entered,” Judge Leinenweber ruled. 

“Forcing reluctant cities to help round up undocumented immigrants,” Bloomberg reports, “was a key component of the president’s campaign vow to rid the U.S. of ‘bad hombres’ entering from Mexico. The ruling further frustrates an administration mired in litigation over immigration policy since Trump took office in January.”

In July, announcing the new policy, Sessions claimed: “So-called ‘sanctuary’ policies make all of us less safe because they intentionally undermine our laws and protect illegal aliens who have committed crimes.” 

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