Justice Dept. gets tough on sanctuary cities
The Justice Department is ramping up its promised crackdown on sanctuary cities, saying it will no longer award coveted grant money to cities unless they give federal immigration authorities access to jails and provide advance notice when someone in the country illegally is about to be released.
Under old rules, cities seeking grant money needed only to show they were not preventing local law enforcement from communicating with federal authorities about the immigration status of people they have detained.
“So-called ‘sanctuary’ policies make all of us less safe because they intentionally undermine our laws and protect illegal aliens who have committed crimes,” embattled Attorney General Jess Sessions said in a statement. “These policies also encourage illegal immigration and even human trafficking by perpetuating the lie that in certain cities, illegal aliens can live outside the law. ... We must encourage these ‘sanctuary’ jurisdictions to change their policies and partner with federal law enforcement to remove criminals.”
The announcement comes amid questions about Sessions’ future after days of blistering criticism from President Trump over his performance. Sessions and Trump had bonded during the campaign, largely over their hardline views on illegal immigration.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is “taking a little time off” this week amid reports of frustration with President Trump, fueling speculation the nation’s top diplomat may soon be making a permanent “Rexit.”
But the State Department insists Tillerson is simply taking a few personal days after a “mega-trip” earlier this month overseas, even though they didn’t indicate the absence on his public daily schedule.
“He does have the ability to go away for a few days on his own,” said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. “He’s entitled to take a few days himself.”
But CNN, citing anonymous sources, reported that Tillerson’s frustration with Trump is growing and that he could leave the administration before the end of the year. Tillerson is reportedly upset over debate on a new Iran policy as well as Trump’s public criticism of Sessions.
A State Department spokesman told POLITICO the thought of resigning early “never crossed his mind.”