Reince Priebus Explains How Donald Trump Will in Fact Cancel All Federal Aid for Sanctuary Cities

Some of America's largest cities say they are going to remain so-called sanctuary cities even though they risk being cut off financially by the federal government once Donald Trump takes office.


As part of his immigration plan, President-elect Trump has pledged to block federal funding to these cities within his first 100 days. Sanctuary cities generally have laws or policies in place that limit how much local law enforcement cooperates with federal immigration officials when it comes to searching for and detaining undocumented immigrants.



"Block funding for sanctuary cities. We block the funding. No more funding," Trump said in August when he laid out his immigration plans at a rally in Phoenix. "Cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities will not receive taxpayer dollars."


Should Trump carry through on that pledge, his home city of New York could stand to lose close to $10.4 billion in federal funds, according to budget documents sent from the City Council Speaker's office. Among some of the biggest recipients of federal funds in the city are the Department of Social Services, the New York City Housing Authority and the Administration for Children's Services.



New York is a sanctuary city and it has laws in place that protect undocumented immigrants accused of low-level nonviolent offenses -- like traffic stops or jumping a subway turnstile -- from being turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Those who commit serious felony offenses, such as murder or assault, however, are not shielded.