The sanctuary jurisdictions included two states with statewide sanctuary policies, California and Connecticut. California received the largest grant awards, totaling over $132 million. Connecticut received more than $69 million in DOJ grants. Both states also have numerous benefits programs that arguably increase illegal immigration into the United States, in addition to laws that tie the hands of law enforcement officers by forcing them to release criminal aliens back into communities instead of contacting ICE. Other defiant jurisdictions that received awards include New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami-Dade County, Milwaukee, Cook County, Illinois, Clark County, Nevada, and Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
According to a guidance issued by the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs last month, however, cities that violate the federal law mandating public employees be permitted to communicate with the Department of Homeland Security will no longer be eligible for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) and the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) grants. While the new guidance does not outright require cooperation with federal immigration authorities, it is a step in the right direction.