PHILADELPHIA _ A federal judge has ruled for the City of Philadelphia in its highly contentious "sanctuary city" case against the Trump administration, saying the Kenney administration'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, 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 Trump administration wanted to hold onto 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.
A key issue was the city's refusal to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers for people who were being released from custody, viewing those papers as administrative requests, not binding. City officials say they will respond to a detainer only if that paperwork is accompanied by a signed warrant from a judge.
The Trump administration argued that city policies allow dangerous criminals to be released into the community, when they should be deported to their homelands. It wants the city to hold people on detainer until ICE agents can get there.
On May 10, as testimony concluded, Baylson said he thought the sides could find a third path, one that would demand minimal concessions. He warned that if the sides could not agree on a compromise, he might do it for them.
