Leaders of America’s biggest metropolis would rather lose $7 billion in federal funding and face massive budget cuts for programs combatting issues like homelessness and terrorism than follow federal immigration laws.
New York – home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – stands to lose the money if President-elect Donald Trump stands by his vow to cut federal funding to the sanctuary cities, according to New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer.
There are 200 sanctuary cities where officials refuse to cooperate with federal efforts to deport illegal immigrants living in the U.S. (RELATED: Sessions Can Prosecute Sanctuary Cities As Attorney General)
“We are going to stand together, and we are going to fight any cut with every tool at our disposal,” Stringer declared in a Wednesday email promoting a study by his staff of the implications of Trump’s possible denial of federal funds to sanctuary cities, including New York.
City programs serving New Yorkers will suffer because of city officials’ decision to fight rather than adhere to federal immigration laws.
“Homelessness – already at record highs – would worsen,” Stringer wrote. “We receive over $480 million for the Section 8 Voucher Program, which supports affordable housing for more than 39,000 New Yorkers. Any decrease would likely mean thousands more New Yorkers without a home.”
The city’s police department also receives $386.1 million in federal funding for counter-terrorism.
“Mr. Trump’s threatened cuts could strip $523 million — or 56 percent – of the total budget for Child Care Services for children most in need,” Stringer wrote. “Domestic Violence Services, HIV and AIDS prevention services, and more would suffer.”
Those figures were included in a report Stringer’s office recently released detailing programs that would suffer from budget cuts. He also victimized New York and touted their support for immigrants and avoided the fact that the city was skirting federal law.
“New York City welcomes immigrants,” Stringer wrote. “It’s that simple. They’re our neighbors, our classmates, our colleagues — we know that we’re stronger because of our diversity.”
Similarly, the Obama administration threatened to cut federal funding to North Carolina after a public school refused to allow a 14-year-old male student who identified as female to use the women’s bathroom. (RELATED: Feds Threaten To Pull Special Ed Funding If School Doesn’t Let Boy In Girls’ Bathroom)
Funding has historically been a tool the executive branch has used to force states and cities to conform to federal policies.
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