Sanctuary Cities Win Round Against Trump DOJ, Adding to Split

The U.S. Department of Justice exceeded its authority when it conditioned two Rhode Island cities’ federal law enforcement grants on their provision of assistance in enforcing certain immigration-related laws, the First Circuit said Tuesday.

The court weighed in on an issue that’s generated controversy throughout the country—whether local jurisdictions known as “sanctuary cities” can refuse to help federal immigration authorities locate and detain potentially deportable aliens.

The federal appeals courts are split, with Ninth, Seventh, Third, and now First circuits refusing to enforce at least some of the DOJ’s conditions, and the Second Circuit upholding all the challenged conditions.

Providence ...