PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Latest on Philadelphia’s legal dispute with the Trump administration over its “sanctuary city” policy (all times local):
4:35 p.m.
Philadelphia’s mayor is hailing a ruling that says the Trump administration can’t block the flow of federal grant money over the city’s handling of illegal immigration, calling it a “total and complete victory.”
Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney on Wednesday called President Donald Trump a “bully.” He also took aim at Attorney General Jeff Sessions, saying “federal grant dollars cannot be used for a political shakedown.”
A Department of Justice spokesman called the decision a victory for criminals, saying the city has created a place for criminals to reoffend.
Philadelphia has said that as a “sanctuary city,” it won’t hand immigrants in the country illegally to Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless federal officials have a warrant signed by a judge.
A federal judge sided with the city Wednesday.
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12:30 p.m.
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Philadelphia in its lawsuit against the federal government for withholding grant funding in response to how the city deals with immigrants in the country illegally.
U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson issued a 93-page memo Wednesday, saying the conditions placed on the city by the federal government in order to receive the funding are unconstitutional, “arbitrary and capricious.” He also wrote that Philadelphia’s policies are reasonable and appropriate.
Philadelphia has said as a “sanctuary city” it will only turn over immigrants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement if they have a warrant signed by a judge. The city was fighting federal efforts to block funding as a result of the policy.
A federal appeals court in April sided with Chicago in a similar dispute.
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