President Donald Trump announced that he will halt federal payments to sanctuary cities and states starting February 1.
Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump framed the decision as a critical step in eradicating fraud and crime, targeting cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
“Starting February 1, we are not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens,” he said.
What Are Sanctuary Cities?
Sanctuary cities are jurisdictions that adopt policies restricting local law enforcement’s collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
Their goal is often to build trust within immigrant communities by offering access to public services like shelter, healthcare, and education without the immediate threat of deportation, thereby encouraging community integration.
Major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, and Minneapolis are known for maintaining such policies.
Trump Alleges Fraud in Minnesota
The president’s announcement included sharp criticism of Minnesota in particular, where he alleged widespread fraud and directly accused Democratic Governor Tim Walz of corruption.
“We have also suspended payments tied to suspected scammers in Minnesota, of which there are many,” Trump said. “It’s a great state. It was a great state. Now it’s getting destroyed by that stupid governor.”
This occurs following a recent legal setback for the administration. On January 9, a federal judge temporarily blocked the White House from withholding childcare program subsidies from five states, including Minnesota, pending litigation over the fraud allegations.
Source: Fox News
