US President Donald Trump has once again raised concerns over "illegal aliens" living in America. This time, he has used one of his sharp moves "halting federal funding", to crack down on the sanctuary cities.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that these "Sanctuary cities" protect the criminals and not the victims.&nbsp;
"They are disgracing our country and are being mocked all over the world," he stressed in his post.
Further, the US president warned that he is working on papers to withhold all federal funding for any city or state that allows these death traps to exist.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treat-this-like-a-business-ice-head-wants-deportations-of-immigrants-to-be-like-amazon-prime-but-with-human-beings-8944571">'Treat this like a business': ICE head wants deportations of immigrants to be like 'Amazon Prime, but with human beings'</a>
"No more Sanctuary Cities! They protect the Criminals, not the Victims. They are disgracing our Country, and are being mocked all over the World. Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!!," Trump wrote.&nbsp;
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<script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>

<h2>What are sanctuary cities?</h2>
Sanctuary cities typically refer to states, counties, or cities that put some limits on how much they are willing to cooperate with federal agencies' efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.&nbsp;
There are about a dozen states and hundreds of cities across the US that consider themselves "sanctuaries" for undocumented immigrants.&nbsp;
Initially, the local government in the US began adopting sanctuary policies in the 1980s when churches offered refuge to people fleeing civil war in El Salvador.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-continue-to-deport-monsters-trump-hails-supreme-courts-ruling-allowing-cartel-deportations-under-alien-enemies-act-8943288">'Will continue to deport monsters': Trump hails Supreme Court's ruling allowing cartel deportations under 'Alien Enemies Act'</a>
However, this has gained more attention over the last decade as immigration has become a bigger concern for voters.&nbsp;
Now, after Trump got back to the Oval Office, he and his allies have promised to crackdown on illegal immigrants. The officials have made clear that some of the cities that have embraced sanctuary policies would be targeted for enforcement actions.
&ldquo;Sanctuary jurisdictions aren&rsquo;t going to stop what we&rsquo;re going to do,&rdquo; Thomas D. Homan, Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;border czar,&rdquo; said in an interview with NewsNation in December.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alien-enemies-act-trump-says-great-day-for-justice-after-us-top-court-lifts-order-barring-deportations-8937346">Alien Enemies Act: Trump says 'GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE' after US top court lifts order barring deportations</a>
Earlier on Wednesday, Head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons said that he would like the agency to implement a system of trucks that would round up immigrants for deportation in a system similar to how Amazon truck delivers packages across US cities.&nbsp;
Stressing that the US should start treating this like a business, Lyons said that he wants to see a deportation process "like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings."
&ldquo;We need to get better at treating this like a business,&rdquo; the Acting ICE Director said.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-indian-students-in-trumps-us-are-facing-deportation-drunk-driving-shoplifting-speeding-8941370">Why Indian students in Trump's US facing deportation: 'Drunk driving, shoplifting, speeding'</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The US president warned that he is working on papers to withhold all federal funding for any city or state that allows these death traps to exist.

US President Donald Trump has once again raised concerns over "illegal aliens" living in America. This time, he has used one of his sharp moves "halting federal funding", to crack down on the sanctuary cities. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that these "Sanctuary cities" protect the criminals and not the victims. "They are disgracing our country and are being mocked all over the world," he stressed in his post. Further, the US president warned that he is working on papers to withhold all federal funding for any city or state that allows these death traps to exist. Also read: 'Treat this like a business': ICE head wants deportations of immigrants to be like 'Amazon Prime, but with human beings' "No more Sanctuary Cities! They protect the Criminals, not the Victims. They are disgracing our Country, and are being mocked all over the World. Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!!," Trump wrote. What are sanctuary cities? Sanctuary cities typically refer to states, counties, or cities that put some limits on how much they are willing to cooperate with federal agencies' efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. There are about a dozen states and hundreds of cities across the US that consider themselves "sanctuaries" for undocumented immigrants. Initially, the local government in the US began adopting sanctuary policies in the 1980s when churches offered refuge to people fleeing civil war in El Salvador. Also read: 'Will continue to deport monsters': Trump hails Supreme Court's ruling allowing cartel deportations under 'Alien Enemies Act' However, this has gained more attention over the last decade as immigration has become a bigger concern for voters. Now, after Trump got back to the Oval Office, he and his allies have promised to crackdown on illegal immigrants. The officials have made clear that some of the cities that have embraced sanctuary policies would be targeted for enforcement actions. “Sanctuary jurisdictions aren’t going to stop what we’re going to do,” Thomas D. Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” said in an interview with NewsNation in December. Also read: Alien Enemies Act: Trump says 'GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE' after US top court lifts order barring deportations Earlier on Wednesday, Head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons said that he would like the agency to implement a system of trucks that would round up immigrants for deportation in a system similar to how Amazon truck delivers packages across US cities. Stressing that the US should start treating this like a business, Lyons said that he wants to see a deportation process "like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings." “We need to get better at treating this like a business,” the Acting ICE Director said. Also read: Why Indian students in Trump's US facing deportation: 'Drunk driving, shoplifting, speeding' (With inputs from agencies)

'No more Sanctuary Cities!' Trump warns to cut ALL federal funds to cities that allow 'death traps' amid migrant crackdown

An idea floated by President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-tariffs-if-mexico-does-not-help-with-immigration-drugs-208019&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwitipTO_87hAhWBknAKHQPAD6kQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0OzfMD1fWS1tC5U77aCgTx">Donald Trump</a> to send immigrants from the border to "sanctuary cities" to exact revenge on Democratic foes could end up doing the migrants favour by placing them in locations that make it easier to put down roots and stay in the country.

The plan would put thousands of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-changes-mind-and-extends-liberians-immigration-protections-in-us-206411&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwitipTO_87hAhWBknAKHQPAD6kQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0OdhGsoUZ43CDmNs3XNEt1">immigrants</a> in cities that are not only welcoming to them but also more likely to rebuff federal officials carrying out deportation orders.

Many of these locations have more resources to help immigrants make their legal cases to stay in the United States than smaller cities, with some of the nation's biggest immigration advocacy groups based in places like San Francisco, New York City and Chicago.

The downside for the immigrants would be a high cost of living in the cities. The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University announced this week that an analysis found that immigrants in sanctuary cities such as New York and Los Angeles are 20 per cent less likely to be arrested out in the community than in cities without such policies.

"With immigrants being less likely to commit crimes than the US-born population, and with sanctuary jurisdictions being safer and more productive than non-sanctuary jurisdictions, the data damn this proposal as a politically motivated stunt that seeks to play politics with peoples' lives," said George Gascon, district attorney for San Francisco.

Trump has grown increasingly frustrated over the situation at the border, where tens of thousands of immigrant families are crossing each month, many to claim asylum.

His administration has attempted several efforts to stop the flow, and he recently shook up the top ranks of the Department of Homeland Security.

The idea to ship immigrants to Democratic strongholds was considered twice in recent months, but the White House and Department of Homeland Security said the plan had been rejected.

But Trump said Friday he was still considering the idea. "Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only," Trump tweeted.

He added that "The Radical Left always seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy - so this should make them very happy!" Wilson Romero is an immigrant from Honduras who chose to settle in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Romero, 27, was separated from his daughter, now 7, by federal authorities at the US border at El Paso, Texas, last year and jailed for three months before being released and making his way to live with his mother in San Jose, California.

There he was reunited with his daughter, who attends public kindergarten. Romero says he goes about daily errands in public without worry of discrimination.

His daughter has made friends and has playdates with the children of Mexican American families.

It's a far cry from his hometown in the violence-plagued outskirts of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, that he fled after his brother-in-law was killed. To him, the biggest problem with being in the Bay Area is the high cost of living.

The former textile factory worker relies on his mother's income from waitressing for food and clothing, and he's started thinking about asking legal permission to move to North Carolina, where an uncle resides and says it's cheaper to live and work.

"To tell the truth, it's a little tight now, financially speaking," said Romero, a former textile factory worker, who said he doesn't know of any charities that may be willing to help. The plan discussed by Trump would also have financial, logistical and legal issues.

The transportation of immigrants who are arrested at the border to large and faraway cities would be burdensome and costly at a time when Immigration and Customs Enforcement is already stretched thin, having released over 125,000 immigrants into the country pending their immigration court since Dec. 21. They are currently being released mainly in border states.

Flights chartered by ICE cost about USD 7,785 per flight hour, according to the agency, and require multiple staffers, including an in-flight medical professional. The agency also uses commercial flights.

Doing longer transports would increase liability for the agency, especially considering that many of the immigrants in its care are families with young children.

And despite the consideration given to releasing the immigrants on the streets to sanctuary cities, the Trump administration actually has plenty of jail space to detain families.

As of April 11, the nation's three facilities to detain immigrant families were nowhere near capacity, including a Pennsylvania facility housing only nine immigrants.

It's also unclear how long the immigrants would stay in these cities because they are required to provide an address to federal authorities - typically of a family member - as a condition of their release.

"It's illogical," said Angela Chan, policy director and senior attorney with the San Francisco-based Asian Law Caucus.

"It's just alarming that they are spending so much effort and so much time to engage in political theatre." The Trump administration has long pushed back against cities with sanctuary policies, which generally prohibit local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration policy, often by refusing to hold people arrested on local charges past their release date at the request of immigration officers.

Over 100 local governments around the country have adopted a variety of these policies "New York City will always be the ultimate city of immigrants - the President's empty threats won't change that," New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio said in a statement.

But Trump seemed ready to step up his fight with the cities, vowing to "give them an unlimited supply" of immigrants from the border.

An idea floated by President Donald Trump to send immigrants from the border to "sanctuary cities" to exact revenge on Democratic foes could end up doing the migrants favour by placing them in locations that make it easier to put down roots and stay in the country.

An idea floated by President Donald Trump to send immigrants from the border to "sanctuary cities" to exact revenge on Democratic foes could end up doing the migrants favour by placing them in locations that make it easier to put down roots and stay in the country. The plan would put thousands of immigrants in cities that are not only welcoming to them but also more likely to rebuff federal officials carrying out deportation orders. Many of these locations have more resources to help immigrants make their legal cases to stay in the United States than smaller cities, with some of the nation's biggest immigration advocacy groups based in places like San Francisco, New York City and Chicago. The downside for the immigrants would be a high cost of living in the cities. The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University announced this week that an analysis found that immigrants in sanctuary cities such as New York and Los Angeles are 20 per cent less likely to be arrested out in the community than in cities without such policies. "With immigrants being less likely to commit crimes than the US-born population, and with sanctuary jurisdictions being safer and more productive than non-sanctuary jurisdictions, the data damn this proposal as a politically motivated stunt that seeks to play politics with peoples' lives," said George Gascon, district attorney for San Francisco. Trump has grown increasingly frustrated over the situation at the border, where tens of thousands of immigrant families are crossing each month, many to claim asylum. His administration has attempted several efforts to stop the flow, and he recently shook up the top ranks of the Department of Homeland Security. The idea to ship immigrants to Democratic strongholds was considered twice in recent months, but the White House and Department of Homeland Security said the plan had been rejected. But Trump said Friday he was still considering the idea. "Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only," Trump tweeted. He added that "The Radical Left always seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy - so this should make them very happy!" Wilson Romero is an immigrant from Honduras who chose to settle in the San Francisco Bay Area. Romero, 27, was separated from his daughter, now 7, by federal authorities at the US border at El Paso, Texas, last year and jailed for three months before being released and making his way to live with his mother in San Jose, California. There he was reunited with his daughter, who attends public kindergarten. Romero says he goes about daily errands in public without worry of discrimination. His daughter has made friends and has playdates with the children of Mexican American families. It's a far cry from his hometown in the violence-plagued outskirts of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, that he fled after his brother-in-law was killed. To him, the biggest problem with being in the Bay Area is the high cost of living. The former textile factory worker relies on his mother's income from waitressing for food and clothing, and he's started thinking about asking legal permission to move to North Carolina, where an uncle resides and says it's cheaper to live and work. "To tell the truth, it's a little tight now, financially speaking," said Romero, a former textile factory worker, who said he doesn't know of any charities that may be willing to help. The plan discussed by Trump would also have financial, logistical and legal issues. The transportation of immigrants who are arrested at the border to large and faraway cities would be burdensome and costly at a time when Immigration and Customs Enforcement is already stretched thin, having released over 125,000 immigrants into the country pending their immigration court since Dec. 21. They are currently being released mainly in border states. Flights chartered by ICE cost about USD 7,785 per flight hour, according to the agency, and require multiple staffers, including an in-flight medical professional. The agency also uses commercial flights. Doing longer transports would increase liability for the agency, especially considering that many of the immigrants in its care are families with young children. And despite the consideration given to releasing the immigrants on the streets to sanctuary cities, the Trump administration actually has plenty of jail space to detain families. As of April 11, the nation's three facilities to detain immigrant families were nowhere near capacity, including a Pennsylvania facility housing only nine immigrants. It's also unclear how long the immigrants would stay in these cities because they are required to provide an address to federal authorities - typically of a family member - as a condition of their release. "It's illogical," said Angela Chan, policy director and senior attorney with the San Francisco-based Asian Law Caucus. "It's just alarming that they are spending so much effort and so much time to engage in political theatre." The Trump administration has long pushed back against cities with sanctuary policies, which generally prohibit local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration policy, often by refusing to hold people arrested on local charges past their release date at the request of immigration officers. Over 100 local governments around the country have adopted a variety of these policies "New York City will always be the ultimate city of immigrants - the President's empty threats won't change that," New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio said in a statement. But Trump seemed ready to step up his fight with the cities, vowing to "give them an unlimited supply" of immigrants from the border.

Send immigrants from the border to 'sanctuary cities': Donald Trump

The White House said Sunday it is looking at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-could-send-migrants-to-sanctuary-cities-209995">ways to transfer undocumented migrants to US sanctuary cities</a> as Democrats accused President Donald Trump of creating "manufactured chaos" at the US-Mexico border.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced an "extensive review" of the potential plan on ABC's "This Week" after Trump confirmed press reports that his administration had proposed the controversial move.

So-called sanctuary cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York are among hundreds of mainly Democrat-run jurisdictions across the US that limit cooperation in complying with requests from immigration officials.

"This is an option on the table," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said of the proposal in an interview on ABC's "This Week."

Trump "heard the idea, he likes it, so –- well, we're looking to see if there are options that make it possible and doing a full and thorough and extensive review," she said.

The president revived the idea on Twitter and in comments to reporters on Friday after the White House had said earlier in the week it was off the table.

Department of Homeland Security officials were reported to have pushed back against the transfers of detained migrants as illegal, impractical and counter-productive.

But in a tweet late Saturday, Trump insisted the US has "the absolute right to have apprehended illegal immigrants transferred to Sanctuary Cities."

"We hereby demand that they be taken care of at the highest level, especially by the State of California, which is well known (for) its poor management &amp; high taxes!" he posted.

Trump has staked his presidency on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers.

Political 'pawns'

But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more walls on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals incite racial hatred.

"This is again the manufactured chaos that he's created over the last two years on the border," Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told ABC.

Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, called Trump's push for transfers of migrants to sanctuary cities "another misuse of presidential power."

He said the president had no right to use funds appropriated by Congress for other purposes "to ship immigrants all over the country."

"Nor is it right for the president to use immigrants or people claiming political asylum as pawns in a fight against political opponents," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Critics warn migrant transfers would further burden already stretched immigration authorities while making it more difficult to track those that have been unloaded in sympathetic jurisdictions.

Sanders acknowledged that it was not "ideal" solution but argued that Democrats had "stated time and time again they support open borders, they support sanctuary cities." &nbsp;

"So, let's spread out some of that burden and let's put it in some of those other locations if that's what they want to see happen and are refusing to actually help fix the problem."

The White House said Sunday it is looking at ways to transfer undocumented migrants to US sanctuary cities as Democrats accused President Donald Trump of creating "manufactured chaos" at the US-Mexico border.

The White House said Sunday it is looking at ways to transfer undocumented migrants to US sanctuary cities as Democrats accused President Donald Trump of creating "manufactured chaos" at the US-Mexico border. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced an "extensive review" of the potential plan on ABC's "This Week" after Trump confirmed press reports that his administration had proposed the controversial move. So-called sanctuary cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York are among hundreds of mainly Democrat-run jurisdictions across the US that limit cooperation in complying with requests from immigration officials. "This is an option on the table," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said of the proposal in an interview on ABC's "This Week." Trump "heard the idea, he likes it, so –- well, we're looking to see if there are options that make it possible and doing a full and thorough and extensive review," she said. The president revived the idea on Twitter and in comments to reporters on Friday after the White House had said earlier in the week it was off the table. Department of Homeland Security officials were reported to have pushed back against the transfers of detained migrants as illegal, impractical and counter-productive. But in a tweet late Saturday, Trump insisted the US has "the absolute right to have apprehended illegal immigrants transferred to Sanctuary Cities." "We hereby demand that they be taken care of at the highest level, especially by the State of California, which is well known (for) its poor management & high taxes!" he posted. Trump has staked his presidency on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers. Political 'pawns' But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more walls on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals incite racial hatred. "This is again the manufactured chaos that he's created over the last two years on the border," Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told ABC. Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, called Trump's push for transfers of migrants to sanctuary cities "another misuse of presidential power." He said the president had no right to use funds appropriated by Congress for other purposes "to ship immigrants all over the country." "Nor is it right for the president to use immigrants or people claiming political asylum as pawns in a fight against political opponents," he said on CNN's "State of the Union." Critics warn migrant transfers would further burden already stretched immigration authorities while making it more difficult to track those that have been unloaded in sympathetic jurisdictions. Sanders acknowledged that it was not "ideal" solution but argued that Democrats had "stated time and time again they support open borders, they support sanctuary cities." "So, let's spread out some of that burden and let's put it in some of those other locations if that's what they want to see happen and are refusing to actually help fix the problem."

After Trump floats idea, White House studying plan to send migrants to sanctuary cities

US President Donald Trump said Friday he is seriously considering funnelling detained illegal migrants into the self-declared sanctuary cities that oppose his tough immigration policies.

Trump's announcement on Twitter reversed a previous White House assurance that the idea -- criticized as political retribution against cities led by opposition Democrats -- had been dropped.

"Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities," Trump said.

"The Radical Left always seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy –- so this should make them very happy!" he tweeted.

The Washington Post revealed the proposal, which would mark a new flashpoint in the ever growing political divide over immigration.

Trump has staked his presidency on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers.&nbsp;

But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more walls on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals incite racial hatred.

In comments to reporters later, Trump said that he wanted Congress, where the House of Representatives is controlled by Democrats, to tighten visas and streamline the deportation process.

Otherwise, he warned, he'll order migrants to be dumped on the sanctuary cities.

"If they don't agree we might as well do what they say they want.... We'll bring them to sanctuary city areas and let that particular area take care of it," he said. "We can give them an unlimited supply."

And late Friday, he reiterated his call for a "merit" based immigration system.&nbsp;

"If the Radical Left Democrats all of a sudden don't want the Illegal Migrants in their Sanctuary Cities (no more open arms), why should others be expected to take them into their communities?" he tweeted.

&nbsp;Human 'pawns'&nbsp;

Sanctuary cities are places where local authorities -- usually Democratic-run -- have refused to hand over undocumented immigrants for deportation.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed&nbsp;dismissed Trump's proposal. 
"This is just another in a long line of scare tactics and half-baked ideas that are just about chasing headlines and distracting people from real issues," she tweeted.

Citing homeland security officials and leaked emails, the Post said White House officials first broached the plan in November, asking several agencies whether members of a caravan of migrants could be arrested at the border and then bussed "to small- and mid-sized sanctuary cities".

The White House told the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) that the plan was intended to alleviate a shortage of detention space, but would also send a message to Democrats, the Post said.&nbsp;

The suggested policy was pushed back within ICE, with a top official saying it was rife with concerns and noting "there are PR risks as well".

After the White House pressed the issue again earlier this year, ICE rebuffed it as "inappropriate."

The Post said a White House official and a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said the proposal was no longer under consideration. 
"This was just a suggestion that was floated and rejected, which ended any further discussion," a White House statement said.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he is seriously considering funnelling detained illegal migrants into the self-declared sanctuary cities that oppose his tough immigration policies.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he is seriously considering funnelling detained illegal migrants into the self-declared sanctuary cities that oppose his tough immigration policies. Trump's announcement on Twitter reversed a previous White House assurance that the idea -- criticized as political retribution against cities led by opposition Democrats -- had been dropped. "Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities," Trump said. "The Radical Left always seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy –- so this should make them very happy!" he tweeted. The Washington Post revealed the proposal, which would mark a new flashpoint in the ever growing political divide over immigration. Trump has staked his presidency on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers. But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more walls on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals incite racial hatred. In comments to reporters later, Trump said that he wanted Congress, where the House of Representatives is controlled by Democrats, to tighten visas and streamline the deportation process. Otherwise, he warned, he'll order migrants to be dumped on the sanctuary cities. "If they don't agree we might as well do what they say they want.... We'll bring them to sanctuary city areas and let that particular area take care of it," he said. "We can give them an unlimited supply." And late Friday, he reiterated his call for a "merit" based immigration system. "If the Radical Left Democrats all of a sudden don't want the Illegal Migrants in their Sanctuary Cities (no more open arms), why should others be expected to take them into their communities?" he tweeted. Human 'pawns' Sanctuary cities are places where local authorities -- usually Democratic-run -- have refused to hand over undocumented immigrants for deportation. San Francisco Mayor London Breed dismissed Trump's proposal. "This is just another in a long line of scare tactics and half-baked ideas that are just about chasing headlines and distracting people from real issues," she tweeted. Citing homeland security officials and leaked emails, the Post said White House officials first broached the plan in November, asking several agencies whether members of a caravan of migrants could be arrested at the border and then bussed "to small- and mid-sized sanctuary cities". The White House told the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) that the plan was intended to alleviate a shortage of detention space, but would also send a message to Democrats, the Post said. The suggested policy was pushed back within ICE, with a top official saying it was rife with concerns and noting "there are PR risks as well". After the White House pressed the issue again earlier this year, ICE rebuffed it as "inappropriate." The Post said a White House official and a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said the proposal was no longer under consideration. "This was just a suggestion that was floated and rejected, which ended any further discussion," a White House statement said.

Trump says could send migrants to 'sanctuary cities'

A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration&#39;s crackdown on illegal immigration.

The judge, who blocked the order provisionally in April, issued a permanent injunction in the suit brought by the city and county of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which said the order was unconstitutional.

&quot;The Counties have demonstrated that the Executive Order has caused and will cause them constitutional injuries by violating the separation of powers doctrine and depriving them of their Tenth and Fifth Amendment rights,&quot; US&nbsp;District Judge William Orrick for the Northern District of California wrote in his order.

Trump issued the order in January, shortly after he was inaugurated, slashing funding to jurisdictions that refuse to comply with a statute that requires local governments to share information with US&nbsp;immigration authorities.

As part of that policy, the Justice Department has sought to punish cities and other local jurisdictions that have joined a growing &quot;sanctuary&quot; movement aimed at shielding illegal immigrants from stepped-up deportation efforts.

&quot;The district court exceeded its authority today when it barred the president from instructing his cabinet members to enforce existing law,&quot; Department of Justice spokesman Devin O&rsquo;Malley said in a statement. &quot;The Justice Department will vindicate the president&rsquo;s lawful authority to direct the executive branch.&quot;

The department has already appealed the judge&#39;s prior ruling from April.

The Trump administration contends local authorities endanger public safety when they decline to hand over for deportation illegal immigrants arrested for crimes.

Dozens of local governments and cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have joined the growing &quot;sanctuary&quot; movement.

Supporters of the sanctuary policy argue enlisting police cooperation in rounding up immigrants for removal undermines communities&#39; trust in local police, particularly among Latinos.

The Justice Department is concerned about localities&#39; compliance with US&nbsp;Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to detain people up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time so that immigration officials can pick them up.

Some cities say they will only honor such requests when accompanied by criminal warrants, and that compliance is voluntary and not required under the statute.

Chicago also sued the federal government in August over the threats of funding cuts by the Justice Department. A federal judge sided with the city in September and issued a preliminary injunction barring the US&nbsp;government from denying the public-safety grants.

A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration

A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The judge, who blocked the order provisionally in April, issued a permanent injunction in the suit brought by the city and county of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which said the order was unconstitutional. "The Counties have demonstrated that the Executive Order has caused and will cause them constitutional injuries by violating the separation of powers doctrine and depriving them of their Tenth and Fifth Amendment rights," US District Judge William Orrick for the Northern District of California wrote in his order. Trump issued the order in January, shortly after he was inaugurated, slashing funding to jurisdictions that refuse to comply with a statute that requires local governments to share information with US immigration authorities. As part of that policy, the Justice Department has sought to punish cities and other local jurisdictions that have joined a growing "sanctuary" movement aimed at shielding illegal immigrants from stepped-up deportation efforts. "The district court exceeded its authority today when it barred the president from instructing his cabinet members to enforce existing law," Department of Justice spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a statement. "The Justice Department will vindicate the president’s lawful authority to direct the executive branch." The department has already appealed the judge's prior ruling from April. The Trump administration contends local authorities endanger public safety when they decline to hand over for deportation illegal immigrants arrested for crimes. Dozens of local governments and cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have joined the growing "sanctuary" movement. Supporters of the sanctuary policy argue enlisting police cooperation in rounding up immigrants for removal undermines communities' trust in local police, particularly among Latinos. The Justice Department is concerned about localities' compliance with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to detain people up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time so that immigration officials can pick them up. Some cities say they will only honor such requests when accompanied by criminal warrants, and that compliance is voluntary and not required under the statute. Chicago also sued the federal government in August over the threats of funding cuts by the Justice Department. A federal judge sided with the city in September and issued a preliminary injunction barring the US government from denying the public-safety grants.

US judge in California blocks Trump's order on sanctuary cities

&nbsp;A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration&#39;s crackdown on illegal immigration.

The judge, who blocked the order provisionally in April, issued a permanent injunction in the suit brought by the city and county of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which said the order was unconstitutional.

&quot;The Counties have demonstrated that the Executive Order has caused and will cause them constitutional injuries by violating the separation of powers doctrine and depriving them of their Tenth and Fifth Amendment rights,&quot; U.S. District Judge William Orrick for the Northern District of California wrote in his order.

Trump issued the order in January, shortly after he was inaugurated, slashing funding to jurisdictions that refuse to comply with a statute that requires local governments to share information with U.S. immigration authorities.

As part of that policy, the Justice Department has sought to punish cities and other local jurisdictions that have joined a growing &quot;sanctuary&quot; movement aimed at shielding illegal immigrants from stepped-up deportation efforts.

&quot;The district court exceeded its authority today when it barred the president from instructing his cabinet members to enforce existing law,&quot; Department of Justice spokesman Devin O&rsquo;Malley said in a statement. &quot;The Justice Department will vindicate the president&rsquo;s lawful authority to direct the executive branch.&quot;

The department has already appealed the judge&#39;s prior ruling from April.

The Trump administration contends local authorities endanger public safety when they decline to hand over for deportation illegal immigrants arrested for crimes.

Dozens of local governments and cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have joined the growing &quot;sanctuary&quot; movement.

Supporters of the sanctuary policy argue enlisting police cooperation in rounding up immigrants for removal undermines communities&#39; trust in local police, particularly among Latinos.

The Justice Department is concerned about localities&#39; compliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to detain people up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time so that immigration officials can pick them up.

Some cities say they will only honor such requests when accompanied by criminal warrants, and that compliance is voluntary and not required under the statute.

Chicago also sued the federal government in August over the threats of funding cuts by the Justice Department. A federal judge sided with the city in September and issued a preliminary injunction barring the U.S. government from denying the public-safety grants.

The judge issued a permanent injunction in the suit brought by the city and county of San Francisco and Santa Clara County

A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The judge, who blocked the order provisionally in April, issued a permanent injunction in the suit brought by the city and county of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which said the order was unconstitutional. "The Counties have demonstrated that the Executive Order has caused and will cause them constitutional injuries by violating the separation of powers doctrine and depriving them of their Tenth and Fifth Amendment rights," U.S. District Judge William Orrick for the Northern District of California wrote in his order. Trump issued the order in January, shortly after he was inaugurated, slashing funding to jurisdictions that refuse to comply with a statute that requires local governments to share information with U.S. immigration authorities. As part of that policy, the Justice Department has sought to punish cities and other local jurisdictions that have joined a growing "sanctuary" movement aimed at shielding illegal immigrants from stepped-up deportation efforts. "The district court exceeded its authority today when it barred the president from instructing his cabinet members to enforce existing law," Department of Justice spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a statement. "The Justice Department will vindicate the president’s lawful authority to direct the executive branch." The department has already appealed the judge's prior ruling from April. The Trump administration contends local authorities endanger public safety when they decline to hand over for deportation illegal immigrants arrested for crimes. Dozens of local governments and cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have joined the growing "sanctuary" movement. Supporters of the sanctuary policy argue enlisting police cooperation in rounding up immigrants for removal undermines communities' trust in local police, particularly among Latinos. The Justice Department is concerned about localities' compliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to detain people up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time so that immigration officials can pick them up. Some cities say they will only honor such requests when accompanied by criminal warrants, and that compliance is voluntary and not required under the statute. Chicago also sued the federal government in August over the threats of funding cuts by the Justice Department. A federal judge sided with the city in September and issued a preliminary injunction barring the U.S. government from denying the public-safety grants.

A US judge on Tuesday blocked an executive order by President Donald Trump that could deny billions of dollars to so-called sanctuary cities as punishment for harboring illegal immigrants.

Dealing a fresh setback to Trump&#39;s pledged crackdown on undocumented residents, Judge William Orrick of San Francisco&#39;s federal court issued a preliminary injunction barring any attempt to implement the January 25 executive order.

&quot;Federal funding that bears no meaningful relationship to immigration enforcement cannot be threatened merely because a jurisdiction chooses an immigration enforcement strategy of which the president disapproves,&quot; Orrick said.

The decision -- which could impact more than 300 cities and counties that have denounced Trump&#39;s order -- is another blow to the White House following successful court challenges to its two travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries.

Trump&#39;s order threatened the transfer of some $1.7 billion to Santa Clara County and $1.2 billion for San Francisco.

Santa Clara counsel James R. Williams described it as &quot;a historic affirmation&quot; of the constitutional principle that Washington cannot &quot;coerce local governments into becoming federal immigration enforcers.&quot;

Orrick noted that the government&#39;s lawyers had sought to avoid arguing the issue of whether the Trump administration had the right to take such steps.&nbsp;

Instead, they weakly challenged the right of San Francisco and Santa Clara County to fight the order because neither had been formally declared &quot;sanctuary jurisdictions&quot; -- a phrase that remains vague in the law.

&nbsp;&#39;Dangerous overreach&#39;

The judge said the key issue remained Trump&#39;s repeated statements that funding is a &quot;weapon&quot; to use against cities that resist his policies. That demonstrates the government&#39;s intent, he said, and is unconstitutional.

&quot;The Constitution vests the spending powers in Congress, not the president, so the order cannot constitutionally place new conditions on federal funds,&quot; he said.

Dave Cortese, president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement the decision had dealt a &quot;major setback&quot; to the politics of fear.

&quot;Millions of people across the country can continue to receive essential medical care, go to school and remain active members of their communities without fear that their local governments are being forced to work against them, rather than for them,&quot; he added.

The decision was being closely watched in Seattle, which filed its own lawsuit against the order in March.

Ed Murray, mayor of the northwestern city of almost 700,000, issued a statement welcoming the ruling as &quot;yet another rebuke&quot; of Trump&#39;s &quot;dangerous overreach.&quot;&nbsp;

New York mayor Bill de Blasio denounced Trump&#39;s &quot;illogical and unconstitutional desire to scapegoat immigrants&quot; while Chicago&#39;s Rahm Emanuel vowed his administration would not &quot;sit idly by while President Trump threatens American cities because he doesn&#39;t share our values.&quot;

Reform &#39;long overdue&#39;

California attorney general Xavier Becerra said the president was trying to &quot;hijack crucial resources, sow fear among California families and make our communities less safe.&quot;

Attorney General Jeff Sessions lashed out at sanctuary cities on Friday last week accusing them of allowing illegal immigrants who are violent criminals to go free.

Orrick&#39;s ruling still allows the Department of Justice to follow through with threats made to nine cities last week -- including Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia -- to cut specific program grants if the cities did not adequately cooperate with federal immigration officers.

&quot;The Court upheld the &#39;Government&rsquo;s ability to use lawful means to enforce existing conditions of federal grants or 8 USC&nbsp;1373,&#39;&quot; Justice spokesman Ian Prior said.

And &quot;the order does not purport to enjoin the Department&rsquo;s independent legal authority to enforce the requirements of federal law applicable to communities that violate federal immigration law or federal grant conditions,&quot; Prior said.

A meeting in Washington on Tuesday between a group of major-city mayors and Sessions demonstrated that the two sides remain at odds over Trump&#39;s election promise to expel some 11.3 million immigrants without legal residency.

The mayors said federal policy remains unclear and inconsistent, and complained the government is telling them to deploy local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws.

&quot;None of this discussion would be necessary if Congress and the president would enact comprehensive immigration reform, which is long overdue,&quot; said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

Trump's order could have possibly denied billions of dollars to so-called sanctuary cities as punishment for harboring illegal immigrants

A US judge on Tuesday blocked an executive order by President Donald Trump that could deny billions of dollars to so-called sanctuary cities as punishment for harboring illegal immigrants. Dealing a fresh setback to Trump's pledged crackdown on undocumented residents, Judge William Orrick of San Francisco's federal court issued a preliminary injunction barring any attempt to implement the January 25 executive order. "Federal funding that bears no meaningful relationship to immigration enforcement cannot be threatened merely because a jurisdiction chooses an immigration enforcement strategy of which the president disapproves," Orrick said. The decision -- which could impact more than 300 cities and counties that have denounced Trump's order -- is another blow to the White House following successful court challenges to its two travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries. Trump's order threatened the transfer of some $1.7 billion to Santa Clara County and $1.2 billion for San Francisco. Santa Clara counsel James R. Williams described it as "a historic affirmation" of the constitutional principle that Washington cannot "coerce local governments into becoming federal immigration enforcers." Orrick noted that the government's lawyers had sought to avoid arguing the issue of whether the Trump administration had the right to take such steps. Instead, they weakly challenged the right of San Francisco and Santa Clara County to fight the order because neither had been formally declared "sanctuary jurisdictions" -- a phrase that remains vague in the law. 'Dangerous overreach' The judge said the key issue remained Trump's repeated statements that funding is a "weapon" to use against cities that resist his policies. That demonstrates the government's intent, he said, and is unconstitutional. "The Constitution vests the spending powers in Congress, not the president, so the order cannot constitutionally place new conditions on federal funds," he said. Dave Cortese, president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement the decision had dealt a "major setback" to the politics of fear. "Millions of people across the country can continue to receive essential medical care, go to school and remain active members of their communities without fear that their local governments are being forced to work against them, rather than for them," he added. The decision was being closely watched in Seattle, which filed its own lawsuit against the order in March. Ed Murray, mayor of the northwestern city of almost 700,000, issued a statement welcoming the ruling as "yet another rebuke" of Trump's "dangerous overreach." New York mayor Bill de Blasio denounced Trump's "illogical and unconstitutional desire to scapegoat immigrants" while Chicago's Rahm Emanuel vowed his administration would not "sit idly by while President Trump threatens American cities because he doesn't share our values." Reform 'long overdue' California attorney general Xavier Becerra said the president was trying to "hijack crucial resources, sow fear among California families and make our communities less safe." Attorney General Jeff Sessions lashed out at sanctuary cities on Friday last week accusing them of allowing illegal immigrants who are violent criminals to go free. Orrick's ruling still allows the Department of Justice to follow through with threats made to nine cities last week -- including Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia -- to cut specific program grants if the cities did not adequately cooperate with federal immigration officers. "The Court upheld the 'Government’s ability to use lawful means to enforce existing conditions of federal grants or 8 USC 1373,'" Justice spokesman Ian Prior said. And "the order does not purport to enjoin the Department’s independent legal authority to enforce the requirements of federal law applicable to communities that violate federal immigration law or federal grant conditions," Prior said. A meeting in Washington on Tuesday between a group of major-city mayors and Sessions demonstrated that the two sides remain at odds over Trump's election promise to expel some 11.3 million immigrants without legal residency. The mayors said federal policy remains unclear and inconsistent, and complained the government is telling them to deploy local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws. "None of this discussion would be necessary if Congress and the president would enact comprehensive immigration reform, which is long overdue," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. (AFP)

US judge blocks Trump order on sanctuary cities

Donald Trump&#39;s attorney general warned US cities that turning a blind eye to illegal migrants could jeopardise billions in federal funding, as the administration doubled down on tough immigration policies Monday.

Jeff Sessions demanded so-called &quot;sanctuary cities&quot; -- from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles -- do more to turn illegal immigrants over to the federal authorities for deportation.

&quot;The Department of Justice has a duty to enforce our nation&#39;s laws, including our immigration laws,&quot; he said from the White House. &quot;Unfortunately, some states and cities have adopted policies designed to frustrate this enforcement of immigration laws.&quot;

The Justice Department would work to claw back grants worth around $4.1 billion a year, he warned.

The 70-year-old former senator zeroed in on the issue of illegal immigrants who have been convicted or detained on suspicion of serious crimes.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has a long voting record&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Jeff_Sessions_Civil_Rights.htm" target="_blank">opposing </a>civil rights. Yesterday he walked away from a question posed to him by a black reporter about the white supremacist&nbsp;who confessed to murdering a black man to &quot;send a message&quot; in New York City.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
AG Sessions ran out as black reporter asked about White Supremacist who killed black man in NYC: &quot;Is that a hate crime, sir?&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PressBriefing?src=hash">#PressBriefing</a> <a href="https://t.co/MISjILlFpD">pic.twitter.com/MISjILlFpD</a>
&mdash; Deep South Daily (@DeepSouthDaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSouthDaily/status/846421426605297668">March 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Trump&#39;s backers in the far right-wing media often feature stories about Hispanic immigrants who have committed violent crimes while in the country illegally. Jeff Sessions echoed this.

He cited examples of those involved in &quot;drug trafficking, hit and run, rape, sex offenses against a child and even murder&quot;.

&quot;Assaults, burglaries, drug crimes, gang rapes, crimes against children and murderers,&quot; Sessions said.

&quot;Countless Americans would be alive today and countless loved ones would not be grieving today if these policies of sanctuary cities were ended.&quot; &quot;These policies endanger lives of every American,&quot; he added.

The Trump administration is trying to force local police to keep immigrants detained until the immigration authorities -- with their more limited resources -- can show up.

However, the administration&#39;s critics accuses it of creating a climate of fear, and falsely associating immigrants with criminality.&nbsp;They point to multiple studies that show immigrants commit crime at lower rates than native-born citizens.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&#39;Police state&#39;

The Lawyers&#39; Committee for Civil Rights accused Sessions of trying to &quot;create a police state&quot; where local law enforcement &quot;are acting at the behest of the federal government to round up immigrants in communities across the country&quot;.

Some local law enforcement officials in cities with large migrant populations warn that such a policy would poison community relations.

In January, police chiefs from major cities stressed they wanted to tackle crime, whoever carries it out.

&quot;Cities that aim to build trusting and supportive relations with immigrant communities should not be punished because this is essential to reducing crime and helping victims,&quot; the group said in a joint statement with mayors.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti gave an equally strident response, accusing Sessions of trying to push local authorities into unconstitutional actions.

&quot;LA&#39;s values are not for sale,&quot; he said. &quot;There are constitutional protections against the kind of punitive, counterproductive actions proposed today by the attorney general.&quot;

&quot;Slashing funds for first responders, for our port and airport, for counterterrorism, crime fighting and community building serves no one -- not this city, not the federal government, not the American people.&quot;

San Francisco insisted that &quot;sanctuary cities are safer cities&quot;.

&quot;When immigrants can enrol their children in school, access health care for vaccinations, and report crimes, our city and county is safer,&quot; said Deirdre Hussey, spokeswoman for San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.

&quot;It is shocking that the US attorney general, the nation&#39;s top law enforcement official, does not agree with this basic principle of public safety.&quot;

The debate is unlikely to be resolved soon, with many legal issues expected to be taken up in the courts.

Legal experts question whether immigration offenses should be treated as criminal acts or whether so-called detainer orders from the federal authorities provide legal grounds for local detention.

(AFP)

Jeff Sessions, like far-right media, focused on aggressive crimes committed by immigrants even though reports say this link is unfounded

Donald Trump's attorney general warned US cities that turning a blind eye to illegal migrants could jeopardise billions in federal funding, as the administration doubled down on tough immigration policies Monday. Jeff Sessions demanded so-called "sanctuary cities" -- from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles -- do more to turn illegal immigrants over to the federal authorities for deportation. "The Department of Justice has a duty to enforce our nation's laws, including our immigration laws," he said from the White House. "Unfortunately, some states and cities have adopted policies designed to frustrate this enforcement of immigration laws." The Justice Department would work to claw back grants worth around $4.1 billion a year, he warned. The 70-year-old former senator zeroed in on the issue of illegal immigrants who have been convicted or detained on suspicion of serious crimes. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has a long voting record opposing civil rights. Yesterday he walked away from a question posed to him by a black reporter about the white supremacist who confessed to murdering a black man to "send a message" in New York City. AG Sessions ran out as black reporter asked about White Supremacist who killed black man in NYC: "Is that a hate crime, sir?" #PressBriefing pic.twitter.com/MISjILlFpD — Deep South Daily (@DeepSouthDaily) March 27, 2017 × Trump's backers in the far right-wing media often feature stories about Hispanic immigrants who have committed violent crimes while in the country illegally. Jeff Sessions echoed this. He cited examples of those involved in "drug trafficking, hit and run, rape, sex offenses against a child and even murder". "Assaults, burglaries, drug crimes, gang rapes, crimes against children and murderers," Sessions said. "Countless Americans would be alive today and countless loved ones would not be grieving today if these policies of sanctuary cities were ended." "These policies endanger lives of every American," he added. The Trump administration is trying to force local police to keep immigrants detained until the immigration authorities -- with their more limited resources -- can show up. However, the administration's critics accuses it of creating a climate of fear, and falsely associating immigrants with criminality. They point to multiple studies that show immigrants commit crime at lower rates than native-born citizens. 'Police state' The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights accused Sessions of trying to "create a police state" where local law enforcement "are acting at the behest of the federal government to round up immigrants in communities across the country". Some local law enforcement officials in cities with large migrant populations warn that such a policy would poison community relations. In January, police chiefs from major cities stressed they wanted to tackle crime, whoever carries it out. "Cities that aim to build trusting and supportive relations with immigrant communities should not be punished because this is essential to reducing crime and helping victims," the group said in a joint statement with mayors. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti gave an equally strident response, accusing Sessions of trying to push local authorities into unconstitutional actions. "LA's values are not for sale," he said. "There are constitutional protections against the kind of punitive, counterproductive actions proposed today by the attorney general." "Slashing funds for first responders, for our port and airport, for counterterrorism, crime fighting and community building serves no one -- not this city, not the federal government, not the American people." San Francisco insisted that "sanctuary cities are safer cities". "When immigrants can enrol their children in school, access health care for vaccinations, and report crimes, our city and county is safer," said Deirdre Hussey, spokeswoman for San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. "It is shocking that the US attorney general, the nation's top law enforcement official, does not agree with this basic principle of public safety." The debate is unlikely to be resolved soon, with many legal issues expected to be taken up in the courts. Legal experts question whether immigration offenses should be treated as criminal acts or whether so-called detainer orders from the federal authorities provide legal grounds for local detention. (AFP)

US attorney general threatens to make city funding conditional on kicking out illegal immigrants

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