16 states argue DOJ lacks authority to impose Trump's threatened cuts to sanctuary cities' funding

Sixteen attorneys general are arguing that the Justice Department does not have the authority to threaten funding for "sanctuary cities" by putting immigration-related conditions on federal law enforcement grants.

The argument was made in an amicus brief aimed at protecting sanctuary cities and their police departments from the cuts.

“The Trump administration does not have the authority to unilaterally transform state and local police into federal immigration agents — and they cannot punish a locality simply because it won’t comply,” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D) said in a statement.

"Attorneys General will continue to fight back against the Trump administration’s draconian immigration policies that threaten our communities and our safety," he continued.

http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/371841-16-states-argue-doj-lacks-authority-to-impose-trumps-threatened-cuts-to