DOJ Considering Arresting Sanctuary City Politicians

© Getty Images .S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks on immigration at the Justice Department September 5, 2017 in Washington, DC.

The Department of Justice is considering subjecting state and local officials to criminal charges if they implement or enforce so-called sanctuary policies that bar jurisdictions from cooperating with immigration authorities. Immigration advocates argue such a move
would be illegal.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen made the disclosure Tuesday during a Senate committee hearing on the department’s operations.
“The Department of Justice is reviewing what avenues might be available,” Nielsen said. “The context of this is of course not only putting my [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] officers at risk, but also finding an efficient and effective way to enforce our immigration laws.”
She said it's safer for immigration agents to do their jobs if they have the assistance of local and state jurisdictions.
The Justice Department’s review follows a chilling warning earlier this month from the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Thomas Homan, who said California would feel the wrath of his agency because of its decision to become a sanctuary state. Homan also called for local and state elected officials to be charged with federal crimes for adhering to santuary policies.
“We gotta take [sanctuary cities] to court, and we gotta start charging some of these politicians with crimes," Homan said during an interview with Fox News’s Neil Cavuto. He said politicians who pushed sanctuary city legislation should be held  "personally accountable” for their actions.
The Department of Justice declined to comment. The Department of Homeland Security could not be reached for comment.