Trump announces cuts to sanctuary states, DE officials react

Dover, Del. – Last week’s announcement out of the White House to suspend federal funding for sanctuary cities and states beginning February 1st was met with strong reactions from some Delaware officials. President Donald Trump has threatened to suspend a significant amount of federal funding for sanctuary cities and states beginning February 1st. Delaware officials have said labeling Delaware as a sanctuary state mischaracterizes the work they are trying to do to help all Delawareans.

The announcement out of the White House came a couple days before the state senate unanimously passed SB27, an act that would establish an Office of New Americans, which is meant to connect immigrants with resources to help them establish themselves in Delaware.

Delaware Senator Russ Huxtable, said the issue would likely head to court and that the designation of Delaware as a sanctuary state does not reflect the realities on the ground. Saying in part:

“Since Trump took office, Delaware Democrats and Republicans have passed legislation with bipartisan support to prevent local law enforcement from entering into agreements with federal immigration enforcement agencies, and then we unanimously voted to create an Office of New Americans that is rooted in economic growth and opportunity for our residents. All 21 senators joined in co-sponsoring the bill to create an Office of New Americans. These federal decisions aren’t about policy differences; they’re about an administration flexing political muscle to distract from its own policy failures, which are clearly not delivering for Americans, let alone Delawareans.”

Sen. Eric Buckson (R-District 16) also said that labeling Delaware as a sanctuary state mischaracterized the work the state is trying to do to support all residents. Buckson, who co-sponsored SB27, said the act and its intent of serving Delawareans who have gone through the process to reside legally should be what brings people together, not further politicize.

“It is obviously concerning,” Sen. Eric Buckson (R-District 16) said of Trump’s announcement. He said that he thought Delaware was “like collateral damage” because of the actions of other states and cities. “I think if you look closely in Delaware, although we have a governor that likes to provoke or take a fight at the national level, on the ground here, I don’t see it the same way I assume to see it in other cities,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Delaware Department of Justice said the act should not be an issue.

“We have taken this administration to court nearly 50 times in the past year,” Delaware’s Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a statement to WMDT on Trump’s annoucement. “We are ready to do it again if they follow through on this lawless threat.”

SB27 will head to Delaware’s House floor.