The Department of Justice put nine of the country’s top sanctuary cities on notice Friday that they could soon have to give up some federal funds unless they can prove they are no longer thwarting Homeland Security’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants.
The entire state of California is being targeted, as are the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cook County in Illinois and Miami-Dade County in Florida round out the list.
The Washington Times reports that letters were sent to each of the nine jurisdictions the Justice Department said had signed documents last year, when they applied for Byrne Justice Assistance Grant money, saying they complied with a section of federal law that demands cooperation when immigration agents ask for it.
“Many of these jurisdictions are also crumbling under the weight of illegal immigration and violent crime,” the Justice Department said as it sent the letters.