‘Sanctuary city’ status could cost Bay State cities millions
A new federal policy to compel immigration detentions by local cops likely conflicts with a bombshell Supreme Judicial Court decision from earlier this week, Bay State elected officials say — and they plan to push back despite the possibility of losing millions of grant dollars.
The Department of Justice has announced it won’t release certain grants unless cities and states allow federal immigration officials access to their detention facilities, and give 48 hours notice before releasing illegal immigrants who are wanted by federal officials. Boston is set to receive $1 million in DOJ grants this year. The state received $3.4 million in grants last year.
The announcement Tuesday came a day after the Supreme Judicial Court barred local officials from holding illegal immigrants solely on detainers from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. A “Safe Communities Act” proposal in the Legislature would add more restrictions on local officials’ cooperation with federal ones.
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), who crafted the Safe Communities Act, said the bill prohibits giving release date information to federal officials and would be in conflict with Sessions’ new regulations — as would the SJC ruling.
“They’re in conflict, but there’s a good chance what the Department of Justice proposed could be ruled unconstitutional,” Eldridge said of his bill, which he is “absolutely” continuing to push. “The SJC decision is also probably in conflict with what the Department of Justice is trying to do.”
Suffolk Sheriff Steven Tompkins said he was not sure how the conflict would play out, but said he would likely abide by the state court’s ruling over the federal requirements.
“I am caught in the middle,” Tompkins said. “If I’m forced to choose a side, I’ll choose the side the courts came down on at this point in time.”
A Department of Justice spokesman had no comment on whether the new regulations were in conflict with the SJC decision.
“We are a city that values and respects immigrants, and Boston will keep standing by its immigrant community,” said Nicole Caravella, a spokeswoman for Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in a statement. “We will continue to evaluate the actions taken by the Trump administration and their impact on the city of Boston.”
“These new rules would harm public safety two ways: either by ending sanctuary policies that help keep down crime or by withholding funds for public safety,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, whose city generally receives between $20,000 to $30,000 in grant funds that could be cut. “We need responsible immigration reform, and this is not it.”