Trump Vows to Cut Federal Funding to Sanctuary Cities: “They Protect Criminals, Not Victims”

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is actively working on a plan to eliminate all federal funding to sanctuary cities and states, sharply criticizing them for enabling illegal immigration and endangering American lives. Trump’s remarks came in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he declared, “No more Sanctuary Cities! They protect the Criminals, not the Victims,” Breitbart News reported.

In the same post, Trump denounced sanctuary jurisdictions as “Death Traps,” stating, “They are disgracing our Country and are being mocked all over the World. Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!!” Breitbart News reported. The statement indicates that the former president may soon unveil a formal policy to cut off federal funds to jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Sanctuary cities and states are generally defined as areas with laws or policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These include limits on detaining illegal aliens for immigration purposes or sharing information about their immigration status or whereabouts.

In Massachusetts, for instance, local authorities are legally barred from holding illegal aliens for ICE beyond the time required for state charges, meaning ICE detainers are routinely ignored. Several Massachusetts cities also limit or completely block cooperation with ICE, including bans on information-sharing and assistance in locating wanted individuals, Breitbart News reported.

Boston, one of the most prominent sanctuary cities, reinforced its stance in 2014 with the passage of the Trust Act, which explicitly bars law enforcement from honoring ICE detainers. Mayor Michelle Wu defended this position during a March House Oversight Committee hearing, saying, “Our local community knows best,” and taking a veiled swipe at Trump by adding, “It has not been the word of presidents, or kings, or presidents who think they are kings that sets what happens. It is our residents,” Breitbart News reported.

Mayors from other sanctuary cities such as Chicago, Denver, and New York also attended the hearing and voiced similar positions. However, critics, including Trump and former acting ICE Director Tom Homan, argue that such policies compromise public safety and have real, often deadly, consequences.

One such case discussed during the hearing was that of Abraham Garcia, a 23-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela and suspected member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. According to Breitbart News, Garcia was released from a Denver jail on February 28, 2024, despite an active ICE detainer. Surveillance footage captured Garcia running from ICE agents in the parking lot after his release. Authorities eventually apprehended him following a foot chase and struggle, but ICE stated that his premature release put agents and the public at unnecessary risk.

Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) confronted Denver Mayor Mike Johnston over the incident, criticizing the city’s handling of Garcia. “345 days you had him in custody. And ICE said, hey, can you give us 48 hours heads up? You gave them one hour notice… An officer got assaulted because of your policy,” Jordan said during the hearing, Breitbart News reported.

Trump’s renewed push against sanctuary policies comes as the immigration crisis continues to dominate headlines. His proposed funding crackdown is expected to become a key issue in his 2024 campaign platform.