Trump threat to pull federal money from "sanctuary cities" could cost Boston $300 million a year
President Trump signed an executive order Monday backing up his threat to pull federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities. He wants the Justice Department to create a list of states and cities "that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws."
There are several "sanctuary cities" in Massachusetts. There is a state law, and a city ordinance in Boston, that prohibits state or local police officers from helping, or interfering with, the work of federal agents such as ICE.
"The law is clear, and they are violating it and this administration is going to take action," said Trump's so-called Border Czar, Tom Homan, at the White House on Monday. "I don't think any elected mayor, any elected governor should want public safety threats, those here illegally in the United States, public safety threats, walking through the community."
Boston's $300 million in federal funding
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city gets about $300 million in annual federal funding. She said most of that goes to housing, education and public safety initiatives.
The mayor said those congressionally appropriated funds should not be eliminated by the stroke of a president's pen, but said her proposed budget, which the city council is currently combing over, accounts for the potential of lost revenue streams.
"That budget does enough for us to prepare for worst case scenarios but not jump to conclusion that we need to slash city services right now," said Wu. "This is an issue that isn't about red states or blue states, it's all families. The most basic thing that we all want is safety for our kids, for our seniors."
Trump's executive order asked the Attorney General to create and publish the list of states and cities within 30 days.
