Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Some cites have so-called sanctuary" policies on the books that prohibit local law enforcement agencies from providing information on illegal aliens held in their facilities to federal immigration agencies. In a surprise move last Thursday the Obama Justice Department announced it had adopted new policies that deny Federal Law Enforcement Grants to some Sanctuary Cities.
According to the DOJs Office of Justice Programs cities that refuse to honor Section 1373 of the United States Code will no longer be eligible for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) and the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) grants.
Section 1373 prohibits government entities and officials from taking action to prohibit or in any way restrict the maintenance or intergovernmental exchange of immigration status information including through written or unwritten policies or practices."
The policies entered the national spotlight last year after 32-year-old Kate Steinle was murdered in San Francisco by an illegal alien who had been released by the San Francisco Sheriffs Department last April. Because of its sanctuary policies the San Francisco agency had refused to honor a detainer request for illegal alien issued by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
More than $3.4 billion in funding has been given to states and cities in the past five years said in a statement announcing the Justice Departments updated guidance.
Texas Congressman John Culberson the Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Committees Subcommittee on Commerce Justice Science & Related Agencies spurred the Justice Departments move.
Sanctuary cities are a hub for illegal aliens and criminal activity and weve seen the tragic results of these policies time and time again" said Culberson.
On Feb. 1 Cong. Culberson sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch urging the Justice Department to cut off funding to locales that refuse to comply with Section 1373.
In addition to cutting off law enforcement grant funding for cities out of compliance with the law local governments must also make an effort to inform employees of the updated guidance.
Personnel must be informed…federal law does not allow any government entity or official to prohibit the sending or receiving of information about an individuals citizenship or immigration status with any federal state or local government entity and officials" reads OJPs ruling.
The update also clarifies that state governments are not allowed to provide subgrants to cities that violate Section 1373.
Culberson (right) touted the Justice Departments move.
State and local governments must now choose between receiving federal law enforcement grant money or protecting dangerous criminal illegal aliens. They can no longer do both" he said in a statement.
It has been more than a year since Kate Steinle was murdered at the hands of a criminal illegal alien who intentionally sought out shelter in San Francisco due to the citys sanctuary policies.
This violence and suffering is intolerable and completely preventable."
The Justice Departments update comes a day after Senate Democrats knocked down a bill written in response to Steinles murder. Known as Kates Law" the bill would have enforced mandatory five-year prison sentences for illegal aliens who illegally re-enter the U.S. more than two times or those who have been convicted of violent crimes who do the same. Despite the change the Obama administration is not likely to cut off other funding to sanctuary cities.
The White House is actively opposing another the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act a Republican-backed bill which would cut federal economic development and community block grants to sanctuary jurisdictions.
The White House has argued that the bill would deny funding for cities to implement a wide range of community development infrastructure and housing activities and provide vital public services including meals to the elderly and affordable child care for low-income working families."
