US warns ‘sanctuary states’ to cooperate in deporting criminal illegal immigrants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned so-called “sanctuary states” like California, New York, and Illinois on Saturday (September 20) to cooperate with the government in deporting undocumented immigrants released from prison after serving sentences.

According to Reuters, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that the department sent letters to the Democratic attorneys general of the three states last week asking them to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining criminal immigrants.

Illinois and New York have refused to inform ICE when undocumented immigrant offenders are released from prison or detention centers, while California has not responded to the letter.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, launched a tough enforcement campaign after taking office in January, deploying additional troops to the southern border and promising to deport millions of immigrants illegally in the United States.

“These dangerous sanctuary policies, often coupled with ‘cashless bail’ for serious crimes, allow criminal illegal immigrants to be released back into American communities, threatening the lives and well-being of the American people,” McLaughlin said.

She also said that ICE sent follow-up letters to the three states on Friday, informing them that the agency would seek assistance from the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to ensure the states’ ultimate cooperation.

She added that the Illinois Attorney General’s Office refused to accept the letter and that sanctuary state policies hinder the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration laws.

McLaughlin said that to date, the Department of Homeland Security has arrested more than 400,000 illegal immigrants, 70% of whom were apprehended by ICE and had criminal charges or convictions.