Sanctuary cities have remained in the news for much of President Donald Trump’s new administration, with the fact that state and local authorities are covering for invaders and helping them stay here despite federal law becoming a major issue as the president tries to enforce American immigration law. As such, he’s both waging legal war on the sanctuary jurisdictions and trying to cut off their funding.
As part of that federal counter-offensive against sanctuary jurisdictions, back in late April, President Trump took action to block them from receiving federal funds if the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security identify them as areas where local law enforcement officers and authorities have declined to cooperate with federal officers to enforce immigration law.
Beginning, the executive order noted that the federal government has been given, under the constitution, total supremacy as regards immigration law. It provided: “Federal supremacy with respect to immigration, national security, and foreign policy is axiomatic. The Constitution provides the Federal Government with plenary authority regarding immigration to protect the sovereignty of our Nation and to conduct relations with other nations, who must be able to deal with one national Government on such matters.”
Then, after noting the specific provisions granting that power, namely Article II and Article IV, Section 4, the president went on to note that former President Biden and his administration allowed millions of illegal aliens to pour across the border, including cartel members. It then noted, “This invasion at the southern border requires the Federal Government to take measures to fulfill its obligation to the States.”
Tying that to sanctuary cities, the executive order went on to describe the jurisdictions aiding illegals as in a state of insurrection against the federal government, providing, “Yet some State and local officials nevertheless continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws. This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government’s obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States. Beyond the intolerable national security risks, such nullification efforts often violate Federal criminal laws.”
The order then directed the relevant authorities, principally DHS and Attorney General Pam Bondi, to identify what jurisdictions qualify as sanctuary jurisdictions. The point of that identification is both to give reason to sue them, and to cut off funding. In regard to the fundinga aspect, the executive order provides: “the head of each executive department or agency (agency), in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and as permitted by law, shall identify appropriate Federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions, including grants and contracts, for suspension or termination, as appropriate.”
Further, the order noted that funding for public benefits will be cut off, noting: “The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney General, shall develop guidance, rules, or other appropriate mechanisms to ensure appropriate eligibility verification is conducted for individuals receiving Federal public benefits within the meaning of 8 U.S.C. 1611(c) from private entities in a sanctuary jurisdiction, whether such verification is conducted by the private entity or by a governmental entity on its behalf.”
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Defending the executive order, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “It’s quite simple. Obey the law, respect the law, and don’t obstruct federal immigration officials and law enforcement officials when they are simply trying to remove public safety threats from our nation’s communities.”
Watch Leavitt here: