Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, released the following statement surrounding the lawsuit the city of Seattle filed challenging the Trump Administration’s plan to withhold federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities:

“The enforcement of our immigration laws is a function of federal authorities and not the role of state and local law enforcement. Mayors, local officials, and police chiefs understand that effective policing requires the cooperation and trust of every member of the community, and that when state and local officials are viewed as an arm of federal immigration enforcement efforts, it undermines that trust.

“This is why the Attorney General’s threat this week to withhold some $4.1 billion in grant money from sanctuary cities lacks legal credulity. Citing the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a lawsuit filed by the city of Seattle challenges the Trump Administration’s plan to withhold funds because it violates state rights.

“Furthermore, the plan erodes public safety by penalizing jurisdictions for doing what they know will help keep their communities well secured. With budgets restraints, it makes no sense to deny cities and counties of much-needed federal police, community development, and disaster relief funds simply because local officials have decided to use their limited resources on efforts that enhance public safety rather than on doing the federal government’s job.

“Rather than fomenting fear and tearing families apart, the Trump Administration would be better served by abandoning this unconstitutional plan and adopting strategies that actually strengthen our communities.”