Sessions Slams Chicago for Sanctuary Policies, Praises Miami-Dade’s Progress

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has called out Chicago’s sanctuary policies again and stated that these have attributed to the high crime rates plaguing the city. He also applauded Miami for cooperating with the federal government and immigration agents.

“Miami-Dade is an example of what is possible through hard work, professional policing and a dedication to the rule of law,” said Sessions while visiting Miami-Dade County this week. “Your success is even more remarkable since violent crime is surging in most places across the country.” 

Miami-Dade County was cleared by the Justice Department of having “sanctuary” policies that halt federal immigration and deportation efforts

He also praised the city’s success in reducing violent crime and the number of homicides since the 1980s, while also comparing the city’s achievements to the lack of progress made by Chicago. 

“I know that Miami-Dade will be an example of the good that comes from following the law,” said Sessions. “We have already seen that: the same Independence Day weekend when Chicago suffered more than 100 shootings and 15 homicides, Miami-Dade also had a historic number of shooting deaths — zero”

Chicago has demonstrated that the city doesn’t plan to cooperate with the federal government’s immigration departments.  

“Chicago’s “Welcoming City Ordinance” prevents illegal immigrants from being held for pickup by immigration authorities unless they have been convicted of a serious crime or are being sought on a criminal warrant. It also bars U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using city facilities for interviews or investigations,” writes The Washington Times. City officials have said the policy helps ensure that immigrant communities trust local law enforcement and are not afraid to report crimes or come forward as witnesses.

Chicago, several other cities and the state of California have filed lawsuits asking courts to halt the Trump administration’s attempts to pressure localities to comply.”

“These policies of sanctuary cities do far broader damage to the country than many understand. At its root, it is a rejection of our immigration laws and a declaration of open borders,” said Sessions.

This has only influenced a massive spike in crime in sanctuary cities. Chicago’s crime rates are at an all-time high. 

“Unfortunately, we have areas of the country that are not doing too well. In Chicago — a city with almost exactly the same 2.7 million-person population of Miami-Dade — more than 433 people have been murdered just since the beginning of the year. That’s more than three times as many as Miami-Dade,” said Sessions.

The Justice Department has declared war on sanctuary cities. Ten jurisdictions were sent a request from the Trump administration to prove their compliance with federal immigration law. The Justice Department is awaiting a response from New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, the municipalities of Chicago, among others. 

“These predators thrive when crime is not met with consequences. This state of lawlessness allows gangs to smuggle guns, drugs, and even humans across borders and around cities and communities. Sanctuary jurisdictions provide safe harbor for some of the most dangerous criminals in our country,” said Sessions. 

Sessions has threatened to pull federal grant money if these areas don’t comply the federal immigration laws.

“We cannot continue giving taxpayer money to cities that actively undermine the safety and efficacy of federal law enforcement and actively frustrate efforts to reduce crime in their own cities,” said Sessions. “So if people of Chicago and these other cities are concerned about losing money, I suggest not calling me; call your city council and your mayor.”

Sessions is urging Chicago’s leaders to do what is best for the cities’ citizens.

“Rather than acknowledge soaring murder counts or the heartbreaking stories told by victims’ families, Chicago’s mayor has chosen to sue the federal government. He complains that our focus on enforcing the law would require a ‘reordering of law enforcement practice in [the city],'” said Sessions. “For the sake of their city, Chicago’s leaders need to recommit to policies that punish criminals instead of protecting them.”  

However, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is continuing to ignore the federal government’s demands.

Emanuel said that Chicago will “continue to stand up proudly as a welcoming city, and we will not cave to the Trump administration’s pressure because they are wrong morally, wrong factually, and wrong legally.” Then he went on to criticize the Trump administration. 

“In a week in which the Trump administration is being forced to answer questions about neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and the KKK, they could not have picked a worse time to resume their attack on the immigrants who see America as a beacon of hope,” said Emanuel on Wednesday.

Author’s note: Sessions has a point. Miami, which deals with a tremendous amount of illegal immigration, is demonstrating how these laws are in place for a reason– to protect U.S. citizens. Miami’s crackdown on crime is paying off, while Chicago is too busy protecting criminals instead of its tax payers.