On January 20, the Administration announced it would take all legally available action to ensure that federal funds are withheld from sanctuary jurisdictions—municipalities that adopt policies aimed at enhancing public safety and trust by limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
This action undermines public safety, erodes trust in local government, and jeopardizes essential services individuals and families depend on. Sanctuary policies are designed to ensure that all residents—regardless of immigration status—can live without fear, contribute to their communities, and seek assistance from local law enforcement when necessary.
The decision to strip funding threatens these principles and endangers entire communities. Cutting federal funding to sanctuary cities also violates the underlying principle of the Tenth Amendment, which protects states and localities from federal overreach. Such actions could disrupt critical programs funded by federal dollars, including public safety initiatives, disaster relief, housing support, and healthcare services. These cuts are not just an attack on immigrants—they are an assault on the well-being of every resident in these cities.
Local law enforcement leaders consistently emphasize that trust between police and the communities they serve is critical to public safety. Sanctuary policies help foster this trust by ensuring that individuals can report crimes and cooperate with authorities without fear of deportation or family separation. Targeting these cities undermines these efforts and puts lives at risk. USCRI stands with sanctuary cities, local leaders, and immigrant communities across the nation.
We call on federal officials to reverse this harmful decision and instead focus on policies that uphold the rights, safety, and dignity of all individuals. USCRI, founded in , is a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization committed to working on behalf of refugees and immigrants and their transition to a dignified life.
