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Philly.com- A federal judge has ruled for Philadelphia in its highly contentious “sanctuary city” case against the Trump administration, saying the city’s refusal to help enforce immigration laws is based on policies that are reasonable, rational, and equitable.
U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson issued his decision Wednesday afternoon, following a four-day trial this spring and nearly a year of litigation, ruling that the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold about $1.5 million in federal law-enforcement grant money “violates statutory and constitutional law.”
The money comes under what is called an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. “The city is entitled to prompt payment of the JAG funds,” the judge said.
The Trump administration wanted to withhold the funds unless the city agreed to actively assist federal authorities in identifying and turning over undocumented immigrants. The city sued in the summer of 2017, saying the Police Department is not an arm of immigration enforcement, and that making it one would damage community relations.
After the ruling became public, Mayor Kenney was captured on video as he broke into what looked like a Snoopy “happy dance,” slapping a high five with chief of staff Jane Slusser as he sang out, “A sanctuary city, yeah!”
