Updated on November 16, 2017.
The Justice Department threatened to cut federal funding for the state of Vermont and the city of Burlington in letters that warned each may be violating federal immigration law.
The government agency sent the letters Wednesday to 29 different jurisdictions “that may have laws, policies, or practices that violate 8 U.S.C. 1373, a federal statute that promotes information sharing related to immigration enforcement.”
“Jurisdictions that adopt so-called ‘sanctuary policies’ also adopt the view that the protection of criminal aliens is more important than the protection of law-abiding citizens and of the rule of law,” U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. “I urge all jurisdictions found to be potentially out of compliance in this preliminary review to reconsider their policies that undermine the safety of their residents.”
The letters give each jurisdiction until December 8 to prove they’re in compliance.
Vermont would lose nearly $500,000 in Byrne Justice Assistance Grants if found not in compliance, while Burlington would lose about $40,000 in federal funding, according to Sen. Patrick Leahy’s (D-Vt.) office.
In a statement, Leahy blasted Sessions for the threat, calling it “shameful.”
“I strongly believe that police chiefs and local leaders should decide what state and local policies are necessary and best to keep their communities safe — not an Attorney General who is attempting to extort immigration reform by cutting off vital public safety dollars to local communities and their residents,” Leahy said.
Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) chimed in with a dose of criticism for President Donald Trump on Wednesday night, saying the letter was an effort to “strong-arm” the state to submit to federal immigration policies. He urged the courts to block the decision.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called the decision a way for Trump “to divide us up rather than go forward with comprehensive immigration reform.”
“We cannot and do not want to live in a society where people are afraid to call the police to get the help they need because they are worried about the consequences for their own lives,” Sanders said in a statement.
The Justice Department letter to Queen City Mayor Miro Weinberger takes specific aim at the Burlington Police Department’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy. In a retort Wednesday evening, Weinberger said that the BPD policy is in compliance and “we do not believe the federal law requires us to implement the current president’s draconian immigration policies.
“Regardless of who populates the administration in Washington, the federal government has no authority to deputize Burlington police officers to enforce federal civil immigration laws,” Weinberger said in statement. “We will be responding to the letter by the deadline and forcefully arguing our case.”
The Vermont letter, sent to Public Safety Commissioner Tom Anderson, attacks the state’s Model Fair and Impartial Policing policy, which asks officers to avoid reporting the immigration status of victims or witnesses to the feds.
“We are confident we are compliant with federal law and worked closely with the legislature last year to ensure that,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a statement Thursday.
Scott added that Sessions’ letter cites an old version of the law, which was updated earlier this year.
Only two other states, as well as Washington, D.C., made the list. The rest are cities and counties, most of which are in California.
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Won’t make this tit for tat guys, so I’ll make this the last post..
Citizen: My family has historically been Republican since the founding of this nation. I’m a gun owning, pro choice, pro gay marriage, pro universal health care Republican. Did your head just explode?
The corruption runs deep in both parties. So don’t generalize me cuz you have no clue what your talking about. At least I have THE BALLS to not require to hide behind a fake name to say what I feel.
I hope that both parties expunge the crap that has been building for decades and decades and we can get back to a better union. I’ve never seen this country more divided then I see right now, and that’s a scary thing.
When I see posts from “Citizen” I generally pass them by, thinking, what a sad, angry life he/she must have to write such things. But when someone makes comments like these below I have to jump in.
“Funny a bunch of whiteys living in one of the whitest states in the country calling the AG a racist.”
What does the fact that we have one of the whitest states have to do with racism at all? Oh wait, I know…. nothing..
“Hows the heroine supply in Burlington today thanks illegals”
I think Burlington has a fairly large supply of “heroines”, which I applaud. As for thanking illegals for supplying drugs to Burlingtonians? Hmmm, how to respond? Well, I guess all I can say, with only anecdotal evidence, is that the “heroin” dealer criminals I read about are U.S. citizens selling to U.S. citizens. Illegal people in Vermont, for the most part, keep a low profile, work hard, and send money back to their families. Maybe we all should be more like them.
Funny a bunch of whiteys living in one of the whitest states in the country calling the AG a racist. Just because you dont like the law does not mean you dont have to follow it. What a bunch of dumbasses. Hows the heroine supply in Burlington today thanks illegals.
Let’s not feed into his violent provoking words. Just think about his thoughts and how he is a Hippocrate. His words speak for HIMSELF!!
Can he even find Vermont on a map?
1st comment inappropriate please remove
Yeah I reposted this to my FB wall… because we aren’t wanting to cater to those racist assholes in Washington? Sessions: EAT SHIT.
Threats from someone who was deemed too racist decades ago.
Why do you say lying ? He clearly said he is not a liar! He just could not recall many ,many , many times. Besides how can he be a bully when he is an elf?
Threats from a racist southern bully who has spent most of the week lying to a Congressional committee.