Attorney General James Responds to President Trump Signaling That Sanctuary Cities and States Will Not be Eligible for Coronavirus Funding

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James this evening released the following statement after President Donald Trump today said at a press conference that he would consider holding off funding to help cities and states respond to the economic fallout of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) until certain “sanctuary city adjustments” are made:

“President Trump’s threat to hold coronavirus funding hostage to cities and states across the country are the latest in his efforts to push a sinister political agenda that only aims to punish us all — citizens and non-citizens alike. This is just another attempt to again feed his base and push the same partisan ideology we’ve seen for the last three years. New York is proud of its status as a sanctuary state that welcomes and will fight to protect its immigrant residents — many of whom are fighting on the frontlines to battle the coronavirus. It is my sincerest hope that one day the president will wake up and realize the power of his words, until that day comes we will be ready to take legal action.”