Trump admin sues New Jersey and Washington state county over 'sanctuary' policies

Source: NBC News

The Trump administration is suing the state of New Jersey and a county in Washington state that encompasses Seattle, claiming the governments are flouting federal immigration law through local "sanctuary" policies.

The suit against New Jersey represents the first time the federal government is suing a state over its policy of limiting assistance to federal immigration authorities.

The Department of Justice is also seeking to halt a recent local policy in Washington state's most populous county which prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using a King County airport for deportation flights.

Attorney General William Barr announced the lawsuits just hours after President Donald Trump, speaking at a gathering of governors in Washington, D.C., described sanctuary cities as a "tremendous problem."

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Feb. 10, 2020, 5:46 PM EST
By Adiel Kaplan and Laura Strickler


Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-admin-sues-new-jersey-washington-state-county-over-sanctuary-n1134351