DOJ Sends a Letter to Nine Sanctuary Cities: Comply With Federal Immigration Laws or Lose Your Grant Money  Katie Pavlich  Posted: Apr 21, 2017

Acting Assistant Attorney General Alan Hanson sent a letter Friday to local government officials in nine different suspected or declared sanctuary cities and counties,  demanding proof of compliance with federal immigration laws.
The letter, sent to officials in Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New York City, Miami Dade County, Milwaukee County and Cook County, notes that these jurisdictions receive U.S. government grant funding. If it is to be renewed, cooperation with federal immigration authorities is expected. 
"I write to alert you that under the terms of your FY 2016 Byrne JAG grant, award 2016-DJ-BX-0106 from the Office of Justice Programs ("OJP"), your jurisdiction is required to submit documentation to OJP that validates that your jurisdiction is in compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373, which states that 'a Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in anyway restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual.' As your grant agreement makes clear, this documentation must be accompanied by an official legal opinion from counsel that adequately supports the validation and must be submitted to OJP no later than June 30, 20107, " the letter from Hanson to Chicago Police Superintendent of Police Eddie Johnson states.

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