The Independent View: Los Angeles CA Sues DOJ Over Threats to Withhold Funds from Sanctuary Cities

The City of Los Angeles, California, has sued the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over threats to Withhold Funding because of Los Angeles’ Immigration Policies.

The Lawsuit is the latest action by L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer, against the Trump Administration over the targeting of so-called Sanctuary Cities.

Filed Friday in U.S. District Court, the Lawsuit alleges that the DOJ’s decision to place New Immigration Enforcement-related Terms on Federal Funding is Unconstitutional.

At issue are Two Programs that provide Millions of Dollars to Fund Criminal Justice and Policing efforts in Los Angeles. The Lawsuit asks the Court to stop the Government from putting Conditions on Grants that are part of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and the Community Oriented Policing Services programs.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant Program (42 U.S.C. 3751 (a)) is the Primary Provider of Federal Criminal Justice Funding to State and Local Jurisdictions. The Byrne JAG Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and was created in 2005 by merging the Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program (Byrne) with the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program (LLEBG). Byrne JAG Funding can be used to support a broad range of State and Local Government Projects, including those designed to Prevent and Control Crime and to improve the Criminal Justice System.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the Component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for Advancing the Practice of Community Policing by the Nation's State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies through Information and Grant Resources. Community Policing begins with a Commitment to building Trust and Mutual Respect between Police and Communities. It is critical to Public Safety, ensuring that all Stakeholders work together to address our Nation's Crime Challenges. When Police and Communities Collaborate, they more effectively address underlying Issues, change Negative Behavioral Patterns, and allocate Resources.