Chicago plans to sue the DOJ over loss of law enforcement grants, 'sanctuary city' policy

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday said the city will sue the Trump administration over the pulling of federal law enforcement grants from "sanctuary cities," which shield illegal aliens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

During a pre-recorded Sunday interview with "Connected to Chicago" on AM 890, Emanuel says federal funding can't be pulled from cities who refuse to cooperate with ICE.

"We're not going to actually auction off our values as a city, so Monday morning the City of Chicago is going to court; we're going to take the Justice Department to court based on this," Emanuel told host Bill Cameron. "We find it unlawful and unconstitutional to be, as a city, coerced on a policy."

According to Emanuel, Chicago shouldn't have to choose between being a "welcoming city" and utilizing funds to strengthen their police force.

"These are exactly the kind of training and technology you want to be investing in right now and also do it in a way that the community’s involved," Emanuel said.

“It is wrong on a values basis; immigrants are part of our community,” the mayor said, adding the lawsuit will argue that the Justice Department cannot tie grants to a change in policy regarding illegal immigrants, the Chicago Sun Times reported.

Over the next year, Chicago will receive $3.2 million from the BJA Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, the Associated Press reported. JAG provides states, tribes and local governments with law enforcement funding, the Office of Justice website explains.

The city plans to use the funding to purchase new police vehicle, The Hill reported.

The decision comes after Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday threatened to pull funding from four cities — Baltimore; Albuquerque; and Stockton and San Bernardino, California — if they refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials.