Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen confirmed this week that her department is investigating whether they can bring criminal charges against mayors and leaders of sanctuary cities and states for defying federal law, adding that the DOJ is “reviewing what avenues may be available.”
“The Department of Justice is reviewing what avenues may be available,” Nielsen told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
According to the Washington Times, the announcement comes just days after California’s new “sanctuary state” law makes it nearly impossible for federal investigators and prosecutors to interact with illegal immigrants and other undocumented individuals throughout the nation’s most populous state.
The DHS Director was speaking with Senators this week over a host of issues, including the Trump administration’s push on immigration reform; adding that “everyone in the room” -not President Trump- was using “general profanity” in discussing DACA and funding President Trump’s promised border wall.
“What I was struck with, frankly as I’m sure you were as well, was the general profanity that was used in the room by almost everyone,” she added.