DOJ: Cities risk losing millions in grants if ICE agents barred from local jails

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is warning cities that they risk losing millions in grant funds if federal immigration authorities are not provided access to all local detention centers to determine the status of suspected illegal immigrants.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the provision Tuesday as part of a new set of requirements for local jurisdictions to maintain eligibility for local law enforcement assistance.

Also included in the new rules is a mandate for local officials to provide Department of Homeland Security agents 48 hours notice prior to the release of an illegal immigrant in cases when DHS officials request such notice.

The rules were designed to bolster the Trump Justice Department's directive aimed at so-called sanctuary cities that do not fully comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The general term describes more than 300 local governments that have limited their cooperation with immigration officials.

"So-called sanctuary policies make all of us less safe because they intentionally undermine our laws and protect illegal aliens who have committed crimes,'' Sessions said. "These policies also encourage illegal immigration and even human trafficking by perpetuating the lie that in certain cities, illegal aliens can live outside the law.''

Sessions' announcement comes as President Trump continued to heap criticism on the attorney general's job performance, casting doubt on his continued tenure.

Specifically, Trump has expressed his displeasure with Sessions' recusal from overseeing the ongoing Justice Department investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Since taking office five months ago, however, Sessions has represented the administration's strongest voices on immigration enforcement--a cornerstone of Trump's successful campaign.