Justice Department Issues Warning to Sanctuary Cities

The Justice Department on sent letters to nine sanctuary jurisdictions asking for proof that they are cooperating with immigration enforcement, and indicating they are at risk of losing federal grants.

The letters went to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as well as officials in Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Miami, Milwaukee, New York and Cook County, Ill.

All have laws or policies that restrict the ability of police and jails to hand over people who are in the country illegally to federal immigration officers.

The letters say a lack of cooperation might mean the jurisdictions are in violation of their agreements concerning Justice Department grants, the Los Angeles Times reports.