CLEVELAND, Ohio – President Donald Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities that resist his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
So what exactly is a sanctuary city? “Sanctuary city” is a term applied to cities and counties that choose not to partner with federal officials to enforce federal immigration laws. However, local police do not have the authority to enforce federal law and aiding federal officials is voluntary.
But, according to CNN, here’s what Trump said about sanctuary cities before he was elected president: “Cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities will not receive taxpayer dollars, and we will work with Congress to pass legislation to protect those jurisdictions that do assist federal authorities.”
In Ohio, some lawmakers are trying to punish local governments who don’t aid federal officials.
Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel supports a proposed bill to ban sanctuary cities and hold local elected officials who don’t comply liable for crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
The bill hasn’t been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly yet, but it aims to prohibit Ohio cities from adopting policies that ban or limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Should the federal government be able to withhold money from sanctuary cities that refuse to help enforce federal immigration laws?
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Further reading:
An explanation on what sanctuary cities are and what Trump plans.
What Ohio Republicans are proposing and how the ban would work.
Ohio Democrats responded to the proposed sanctuary city ban.
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