Sanctuary States, City Lose Appeal On Federal Grant Cuts

ADAM KLASFELD
Courthouse News
Feb. 27, 2020

Reversing a sweeping injunction, the Second Circuit gave the Justice Department a green light Wednesday to withhold funding from New York City and seven states in retaliation for their sanctuary policies on immigration.

"The case implicates several of the most divisive issues confronting our country and, consequently, filling daily news headlines: national immigration policy, the enforcement of immigration laws, the status of illegal aliens in this country, and the ability of states and localities to adopt policies on such matters contrary to, or at odds with, those of the federal government," wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Reena Raggi, a George W. Bush appointee, on behalf of a unanimous three-judge panel.

Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Justice Department's clampdown on sanctuary jurisdictions nearly three years ago, saying cities and states that refuse to help federal agents detain undocumented immigrants at local jails would lose out on $385 million in justice assistance grants.

JAG grants, as they are known, are named for slain New York City police officer Eddie Byrne.

Seven states -- New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Rhode Island -- and New York City sued over the restrictions, winning a ruling some 15 months ago in Manhattan that forced the Justice Department to release the funding.

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