Federal Judge Sides With Philadelphia In Sanctuary City Case

PHILADELPHIA – In a win for the City of Philadelphia, a federal judge on Wednesday ruled the Trump Administration Department of Justice's attempt to withhold federal funding from "sanctuary cities" violates statutory and constitutional law.

Judge Michael Baylson ruled in favor of Philadelphia, saying the city's policies regarding undocumented immigrants and complying with federal immigration authorities are "reasonable, rational, and an appropriate exercise of municipal authority under the Constitution and laws of the United States and Pennsylvania."

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney Wednesday called Baylson's ruling "a total and complete victory for the City."

"This is an important moment for all Philadelphians, especially our immigrant community," Kenney said. "It prevents a White House run by a bully from bullying Philadelphia into changing its policies. It is a ruling that should make clear to Attorney General Sessions that federal grant dollars cannot be used for a political shakedown. It is, most of all, a ruling that reminds everyone of why this City and this country exist – to give safe haven, and hope, to those who flee tyranny, oppression and poverty in other parts of the world – to be a welcoming nation."

United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions planned to strip federal law enforcement funding from cities that do not comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials by not turning over undocumented immigrants who commit non-violent crimes to federal authorities.

Baylson called the DOJ's conditions to receive the federal funding "arbitrary and capricious."

Those conditions required that the city provide ICE with 48-hours-notice of the "scheduled release" of prisoners of interest; allow ICE unfettered access to interview inmates in Philadelphia’s prison system; and to certify compliance with a Section 1373 of Title 8 of the U.S. Code.

"Philadelphians, including the immigrant community, will be greatly relieved and heartened by this ruling," Miriam Enriquez, Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs said Wednesday. "Judge Baylson’s decision confirms what we have known all along - that our policies make our city stronger and safer. This should reaffirm to our immigrant communities that we are glad you are here, we want you here, and we will always fight to ensure that Philadelphia remains a welcoming city to all."

Back in November 2017, Baylson sided with Philadelphia and placed an injunction on the DOJ's withholding of funds.

The city took the case to court in August 2017, saying the attempt to add conditions to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program was "purely political."

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