New EO: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens

Trump issued a new executive order today: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens. It’s basically an anti-sanctuary policy.

Here’s a snippet from the “purpose and policy” section: “…some State and local officials nevertheless continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws. This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government’s obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States. Beyond the intolerable national security risks, such nullification efforts often violate Federal criminal laws…”

So the AG has been tasked with identifying sanctuary jurisdictions and contacting any such sanctuary jurisdiction “regarding its defiance of Federal immigration law enforcement and any potential violations of Federal criminal law.”

In addition, the government will “identify appropriate Federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions, including grants and contracts, for suspension or termination, as appropriate.”

There is also an odd paragraph about ensuring that “eligibility verification is conducted for individuals receiving Federal public benefits within the meaning of 8 U.S.C. 1611(c) from private entities in a sanctuary jurisdiction…” Not sure what that’s about.

Finally, check this out–they’re going after “State laws that provide in-State higher education tuition to aliens but not to out-of-State American citizens that may violate 8 U.S.C. 1623 or that favor aliens in criminal charges or sentencing.” Thinking about all that Michael Olivas would have to say about that particular provision.

-KitJ