Durbin Statement On 7th Circuit Upholding Injunction Against Sessions Threat To Chicago Violence Prevention Funding
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal injunction blocking an attempt by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to deny Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (“Byrne-JAG”) to communities that refuse to cooperate with the Trump Administration’s deportation agenda:
“The Trump Administration exceeded its legal authority by trying to cut off the federal funds our police use to fight gun violence in Chicago. It was a dangerous and irresponsible decision to pressure local communities to join in the President’s mass deportation agenda, and I’m glad the 7th Circuit has upheld this injunction.”
In January, Durbin led twelve members of the United States Senate and 33 members of the United States House in filing a Congressional amicus brief in the appeal of the case City of Chicago v. Sessions.
Since 2009, the City of Chicago and Cook County have received $58,135,399 in Byrne-JAG grants. In a letter to President Trump in February of 2017, Sens. Durbin and Duckworth urged him to provide a surge in federal support and resources for Chicago to reduce violence and expand economic opportunities for neglected communities.
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