Chicago sues over sanctuary city crackdown

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sued the Trump administration on Monday, protesting its immigration clampdown. Last month, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Justice Department would begin suppressing so-called sanctuary cities, revoking Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants from mayors who refuse to enforce immigration laws. Sessions said U.S. cities stand to lose millions unless they give federal immigration officials unlimited access to local jails and give them 48 hours notice before releasing undocumented immigrants. “Chicago will not let our police officers become political pawns in a debate,” Emanuel, a Democrat, said on Sunday. “Chicago will not let our residents have their fundamental rights isolated and violated. And Chicago will never relinquish our status as a welcoming city.” Emanuel and other liberal mayors claim automatically turning over illegal immigrants to federal officials discourages them from coming forward to report local crimes. This is the first legal challenge to the Justice Department’s plan to withhold Byrne grants from sanctuary cities. Chicago expects to get $3.2 million this year from the Byrne program and plans to use the money for new police equipment. Last year, Chicago had the highest murder rate in the country—higher than Los Angeles and New York combined. Sessions said last week sanctuary cities make everyone less safe.