Donald Trump speech today in Detroit, Michigan: President says government will stop making payments to sanctuary cities, states

CHICAGO — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he’s taking additional steps to enforce his immigration crackdown.

Trump said the federal government will stop making payments to sanctuary cities and states with those cities, including Chicago and Illinois.

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He said that would happen beginning on Feb. 1.

Trump made his remarks while speaking to the Detroit Economic Club in Michigan.

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He said the move is necessary because he believes sanctuary cities do everything possible to, in his words “protect criminals at the expense of American citizens.”

Last year, a judge had blocked the Trump administration from denying funding to more than 30 cities that had policies limiting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded, saying cutting funds for political reasons is “blatantly unconstitutional and immoral.”

Legal action is likely.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ABC7 Chicago contributed to this report.