By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The Obama administration plans to target sanctuary cities that actively thwart federal efforts to deport illegal immigrants.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch said she would go as far as ceasing federal grant money from going to cities that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants, the Washington Times reports.
The move surprised many lawmakers because the Obama administration has long opposed crackdowns on sanctuary cities.
As part of the crack down, Lynch aid the federal Bureau of Prisons would stop releasing illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities and instead would turn them over for deportation.
“This is a very significant change, and we’re deeply grateful to you,” Rep. John Abney Culberson, Texas Republican, told Ms. Lynch at a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee.
Culberson said he would provide a list of sanctuary cities.
“If they insist on paying it out of their policy, and they won’t honor detainers, and they won’t share information, you know, don’t ask for federal money unless you follow federal law,” he said. “Delighted to hear you’re moving in that direction, and we’re going to work with you cooperatively and in a supportive way to ensure that that happens.”
