Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday blasted so-called sanctuary cities for “doing nothing more than” undermining the fight against transnational gangs and the illegal drug trade.
In a meeting with major federal law enforcement agencies including the DEA, FBI, ATF and ICE, Sessions said sanctuary cities are hurting the fight against gangs such as MS-13.
“Under President Trump, the Justice Department has zero tolerance for gang violence. Transnational criminal organizations like MS-13 represent one of the gravest threats to American safety,” the nation’s top law enforcement officer said, according to prepared remarks.
MS-13 is a mostly Central American-composed gang with a membership of nearly 70,000. Known for its violence, human trafficking and drug trafficking, it originated in Los Angeles and has spread to other parts of the country.
“Because of an open border and years of lax immigration enforcement, MS-13 has been sending both recruiters and members to regenerate gangs that previously had been decimated, and smuggling members across the border as unaccompanied minors,” Sessions said.
Sessions added that sanctuary cities — known as jurisdictions that do not adhere to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainers — “undermine” the fight against MS-13 and others. Sessions has already threatened to withhold federal funds and grants from cities that adopt sanctuary policies as he works toward administration promises of upping immigration enforcement and public safety.
“Harboring criminal aliens only helps violent gangs like MS13,” he said. “Sanctuary cities are aiding these cartels to refill their ranks and putting innocent life — including the lives of countless law-abiding immigrants — in danger.”
Tuesday’s meeting was organized as part of the AG’s Organized Crime Council, which is chaired by the acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boente and includes senior representation from nine federal law enforcement agencies.
In February, Trump issued an executive order intended to target international gangs part of the illegal drug trade. Tuesday’s meeting was a means to go forward with concrete ideas on how to carry out the order.
