Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued the following statement regarding the preliminary injunctions issued today by a federal judge blocking President Trump’s executive order on sanctuary cities:
“As we’ve said since January – and my legal guidance makes clear – President Trump does not have the constitutional authority to broadly cut off funding to state and cities simply because they are lawfully acting to protect their immigrant families.
“We welcome today’s court decision.
“Sanctuary policies like these aren’t just lawful; they can also be critical to protecting public safety, which depends on trust between law enforcement and those they bravely serve.
“I’m proud that localities around New York are using our guidance to protect their communities – and state and local governments and law enforcement should know that they have broad authority under the Constitution to choose not to participate in federal immigration enforcement.”