While we await the Supreme Court’s imminent travel ban decision in Trump v Hawaii, due to be handed down before the Court’s term ends on June 30—a decision expected to uphold Trump’s executive privilege to enforce the ban--sanctuary city rulings have been a bright spot for immigrants and states righters protecting their undocumented immigrants … [Read more...]
Search Results for: sanctuary cities
Federal Judge Blocks Sessions’ Effort to Stifle Sanctuary Cities
A federal court in Chicago imposed a preliminary injunction on Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to exclude all sanctuary cities from Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG), used primarily to bolster local police forces. The injunction, which affects districts throughout the county, will remain in effect while a lawsuit … [Read more...]
Judge Says Federal Government Can’t Restrict Sanctuary Money
The Trump administration recently suffered a blow when U.S. District Court Judge Edgardo Ramos in Manhattan ruled in favor of a petition by New York City and the state of New York (and six other states). Judge Ramos determined the federal Government was not permitted to hold back millions of dollars in grant money from the states and cities … [Read more...]
US District Judge Stays Texas’ Ban on Sanctuary Policies
On August 30th, a US District Judge in San Antonio ordered a preliminary injunction on certain provisions of a controversial bill banning sanctuary city policies in the state of Texas. The bill, known as SB 4, contains a number of restrictions limiting a city’s ability to impede federal immigration law enforcement. There are two provisions that … [Read more...]
Chicago Files Lawsuit Against Justice Department Over Sanctuary Policies
In early August, Rahm Emanuel announced that the City of Chicago would be suing the Justice Department because of its recent decision to block the distribution of federal grant money to so-called sanctuary cities. According to the suit, Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ refusal to offer federal money to sanctuary cities is unlawful, as it overrides … [Read more...]
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em…Let ‘em Shoot Up?
Medical and recreational marijuana, sanctuary cities, net neutrality, and climate change. These are just a few examples of the many issues pitting state and local governments against the federal government. We can now add supervised injection sites (SIS), also known as supervised consumption services or overdose prevention centers, to that list. … [Read more...]
Republicans Remain Inconsistent on States’ Rights Issues
Just prior to Christmas, Republicans banded together in the house to pass a bill that would allow people with concealed carry permits to travel across state-lines with their weapons. Under this bill, a person who receives their permit in a gun-haven like Texas would be able to bring his gun into a stricter state, like California, without being … [Read more...]
House Passes Two Anti-Immigration Bills
In a display of solidarity with the anti-immigration Trump administration, the United States House of Representatives passed two measures in June that, if confirmed by the Senate, would establish xenophobic policies in the US. Kate’s law, named after Kathryn Steinle who was shot by an illegal immigrant, would increase the maximum penalties for an … [Read more...]
The Uncertain Fate of H-1B Visas
In the effort to reduce the immigrant population in the US and to limit the number of jobs occupied by immigrants, the GOP has employed a number of different tactics, ranging from egregious executive orders (currently deemed unconstitutional) to threats from the DOJ promising to withhold funding from so-called sanctuary cities. Another, less … [Read more...]
Jeff Sessions Orders Prosecutors to Seek Stricter Sentences
Attorney General (AG) Jeff Sessions issued an order on Thursday, asking federal prosecutors to mete out the toughest charges and sentences against suspected criminals, a move that effectively reverses an Obama-era order from Eric Holder asking prosecutors to reduce penalties for nonviolent drug offenses. In a memo from the Office of the Attorney … [Read more...]