Is Trump withholding $4M from N.J. due to sanctuary cities?
Updated Nov 6, 5:36 PM; Posted Nov 6, 4:02 PM
By Jonathan D. Salant
New Jersey's Democratic lawmakers on Monday accused President Donald Trump's administration of withholding $4 million in promised local law enforcement funds after several municipalities said they would not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
In a letter sent to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, The lawmakers said they believed the delay was part of the Justice Department's efforts "to punish states and local governments for their immigration laws and policies."
The funds are due the state and its localities under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, which provides funds for training, personnel and equipment to fight crime and terrorism. The money was due during the previous fiscal year that expired Sept. 30.
The delay "threatens critical law enforcement resources in order to force a policy change that will decrease cooperation between the immigrant community and law enforcement and make our communities less safe," the lawmakers wrote. "Forcing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law also redirects precious resources used to combat truly violent crime."
Justice Department spokesman Devin O'Malley said the delay is due to a ongoing lawsuit brought by the city of Chicago.
"Violent crime is on the rise in America, especially in many of our major cities," O'Malley said. "Unfortunately, as a result of a lawsuit by the city of Chicago and their extreme sanctuary policies, there have been delays in getting these funds into the hands of our cooperating state and local crime fighting partners."
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Murphy said during an October debate that he would consider taking steps to protect from deportation undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.
Such "dreamers" had been given protection under an executive order that Trump revoked, which could lead to 22,000 young people living in New Jersey facing deportation.
In addition, Newark, East Orange, Jersey City and other cities in New Jersey have vowed not to cooperate with federal authorities on immigration issues. Such municipalities are known as "sanctuary cities."
Trump, elected on a promise to deport all 11 million unauthorized immigrants, has threatened cities with the loss of federal funds if they do not accede to federal requests to hold unauthorized immigrants.
The letter, led by Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist., was signed by the other eight Democrats representing New Jersey in Congress, U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, D-N.J.; and Reps. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist., Albio Sires, D-8th Dist., Donald Payne Jr., D-10th Dist., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf...nctuary_c.html
