HT AOSHQ Morning News DumpJustice Department sides with Republican Pat Toomey against 'sanctuary city' policy
So, just maybe you DON'T get to choose which laws you'll observe while taking Fed $?
A new Justice Department policy announced last week bars sanctuary cities such as Philadelphia, the host of the Democratic National Convention, from receiving millions of dollars worth of federal law enforcement grants, putting further pressure on Pennsylvania Democrats to abandon policies that impede federal immigration officials.
The Justice Department notified cities last Thursday that they would no longer receive federal law enforcement grants, which totaled $3.4 billion in the past five years, if they have laws on the books that interfere with requests for immigration information from federal authorities.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, who implemented the policy that bars cooperation between city law enforcement and federal immigration agents earlier this year, has resisted pressure from the Obama administration to back down on the issue. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson even traveled to Philadelphia to personally request that Kenney change course but was rejected.
Philadelphia was slated to receive $1.68 million this year through the federal government's Justice Assistance Grant and other programs, according to the Philly Voice. The city has received $8.6 million since 2012 through Justice Department programs.
The Justice Department announcement comes just weeks before thousands descend on Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention in late July.
Sanctuary cities have already emerged as a critical issue in Pennsylvania's Senate election. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey criticized his Democratic challenger, Katie McGinty, for her support of Kenney in the fight.
In a letter to McGinty following the federal government's announcement, Toomey aligned himself with the Obama administration.
"The Obama administration and I agree that sanctuary cities that forbid their local law enforcement officers from sharing information with federal immigration officials to apprehend violent criminals and terrorist suspects should not be rewarded with federal money," Toomey wrote.