Sessions to Tout Helpful Cities        08/16 06:05

   Sessions planned to highlight cities that cooperate with federal immigration 
officials during a visit Wednesday to Miami. He is to be accompanied by Tom 
Homan, acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

   NEW YORK (AP) -- Attorney General Jeff Sessions says cities that refuse to 
share information with federal immigration authorities show a disrespect for 
the rule of law that is jeopardizing the "most fundamental duty of government" 
--- ensuring public safety.

   Sessions planned to highlight cities that cooperate with federal immigration 
officials during a visit Wednesday to Miami. He is to be accompanied by Tom 
Homan, acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

   Miami-Dade County earlier this year reversed its "sanctuary city" policy, 
saying the county would honor requests to hold people for extra time so they 
can be arrested by immigration authorities. Local officials defended the 
decision, saying they wanted to keep receiving Justice Department grants for 
community policing.

   Both President Donald Trump and Sessions have threatened to end such funding 
for so-called sanctuary cities, which are broadly defined as places that limit 
cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Trump says such jurisdictions 
provide a haven for criminal activity. Cities say such immigrant-friendly 
policies actually enhance public safety.

   The attorney general planned in a speech Wednesday to contrast Miami's 
example with cities like Chicago, which is suing the federal government over 
the funding threats.

   "Miami-Dade is an example of what is possible through hard work and a 
rededication to the rule of law. It is proof that the entire nation can do 
better," Sessions says in speech excerpts obtained by The Associated Press. 
"The most fundamental duty of government is to ensure the safety and liberty of 
its people."

   "Respect for the rule of law has broken down," Session says. "In Chicago, 
their so-called "sanctuary" policies are just one sad example."


(KA)