The Justice Department Ends Limit on Grants to Sanctuary Cities

Immigration Lawyer in LA for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

At the end of April, the U.S. Department of Justice put an end to a policy that cut funding to sanctuary cities, which normally were a place of hope, safety, and new opportunities for immigrants.

According to Reuters, the Head of the Office of Justice Programs Maureen Henneberg said that grant recipients of the department’s $250 million annual grant program for local law enforcement no longer need to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to qualify for funding. Applicants are unique, and can range from:

• A person
• City
• County
• State

Effective immediately, applicants can apply without having to negate old policies. In a memo, Henneberg stated, “These solicitations will be reposted, and grantees will be required to reapply,” according to Reuters.

This is one of many executive orders that are part of President Biden’s reversal plan intended to undo previous decisions made by the Trump administration. During Biden’s first few weeks he overturned one of Trump’s executive orders, which relate to the recent legal win. He ended an order that allowed the Justice Department to pressure sanctuary cities that refused to notify immigration agencies about non-citizens that have been detained for minor criminal violations.

What Are Sanctuary Cities?

Sanctuary cities are designated locations that limit cooperation with immigrant agencies to protect “low-priority” undocumented immigrants from getting removed for committing a crime. In the U.S. there is more than one reason why you may engage with local police. Most immigrants that flee to sanctuary locations have either sought protection from domestic violence or were pulled over for breaking an unfamiliar law. For example, getting pulled over for a broken taillight or speeding are two common circumstances that risk one’s chance of citizenship. Normally, if an individual is undocumented, he/she is not issued a valid driver’s license, nor should they get behind the wheel.

It is a common misconception that non-citizens are free from prosecution or abiding by laws, which is far from the truth. When major crimes are committed, convicted immigrants are often turned over, hence the term “safe city.” Although the Trump administration tried to “crackdown on immigration,” cities and states resisted by adopting sanctuary policies to resist cooperating with the police, and federal authorities. There are several cities and counties in California with sanctuary jurisdictions, such as:

• Alameda County
• Berkley
• Contra Costa County
• Fremont, CA
• Los Angeles County
• Los Angeles
• Monterey County
• Napa County
• Oakland
• Riverside County
• Sacramento County
• San Bernardino County
• San Diego County
• San Francisco County/City
• San Mateo County
• Santa Ana
• Santa Clara County
• Santa Cruz County
• Sonoma County
• Watsonville

If you were ever convicted of a small crime or fear reporting deplorable crimes will result in deportation, you should pursue legal immigration help in Los Angeles. Each sanctuary city takes a different approach to implement immigration law and limiting their assistance with the authorities. At Grey Law we can help you and your family learn about your rights to legal protection, and what you can do to avoid removal from the U.S.