US DOJ asks judge to limit sanctuary cities injunction
Attorney General Jeff Sessions
CHICAGO (AP) -- The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to limit a federal judge's order blocking the Trump Administration's efforts to keep law enforcement grant money from sanctuary cities.
In a memorandum filed in federal court Tuesday, the Justice Department notes nearly 1,000 applications for the 2017 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants have been submitted. It says the department faces the choice of issuing the grants without the new conditions or delaying the funding of law enforcement.
The memorandum proposes applicants that do not contest the conditions be allowed to accept the award.
Earlier this month, Judge Harry Leinenweber issued a temporary "nationwide" injunction sought by Chicago preventing the denial of requests for grant money to cities that don't cooperate with immigration agents.
Chicago refuses to comply with the Justice Department's demand that it allow immigration agents access to local jails and notify agents when someone in the United States illegally is about to be released from custody.