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Sanctuary Cities, Counties and States Could Face Federal Subpoenas

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WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is stepping up its assault on so-called sanctuary cities, counties or states. It's demanding records from 23 of these jurisdictions, including America's three largest cities, which could show if they're illegally withholding information on people they arrest from federal immigration authorities.

"Protecting criminal aliens from federal immigration authorities defies common sense and undermines the rule of law," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement.

A senior Justice Department official says the department has asked jurisdictions to voluntarily turn over the records it's seeking but is prepared to subpoena them.

Along with New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the jurisdictions the Justice Department is targeting in this latest action include the states of Illinois, California and Oregon and the capital cities of Albany, New York, Sacramento, California and Jackson, Mississippi.

Reacting to the Justice Department action, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was quick to label it in a tweet a "racist assault on our immigrant communities. It doesn't make us safer and it violates America's core values."

The Trump administration has long threatened to block some federal funds to jurisdictions who defy U.S. Immigration authorities. So far such efforts have been blocked in court.

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About The Author

Paul
Strand

Como corresponsal del buró de noticias de CBN en Washington DC, Paul Strand ha cubierto una variedad de temas políticos y sociales, con énfasis en defensa, justicia y el Congreso. Strand comenzó su labor en CBN News en 1985 como editor de asignaciones nocturnas en Washington, DC. Después de un año, trabajó con CBN Radio News por tres años, volviendo a la sala de redacción de televisión para aceptar un puesto como editor en 1990. Después de cinco años en Virginia Beach, Strand se trasladó de regreso a la capital del país, donde ha sido corresponsal desde 1995. Antes de unirse a CBN News, Strand