NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is applauding the U.S. Court of Appeals for Fifth Circuit, which favored a Texas law that allows a sanctuary city ban.
“I am pleased that the Fifth Circuit upheld the will of the Texas Legislature—the elected representatives of that state—and its very reasonable law prohibiting policies and public officials from placing unnecessary barriers to cooperation with federal immigration enforcement," Landry told the Louisiana Record.
According to the attorney general's office, Landry led an 11-state coalition in a legal brief supporting Texas' sanctuary city ban.
"I have said repeatedly that sanctuary cities undermine the rule of law and prevent our law enforcement officers from being able to do their jobs,” Landry said in a press release. “Texas recognized this and took action; the Fifth Circuit upheld a reasonable law passed by the Texas Legislature, which helps make communities safer.”
In Oct. 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a warning to New Orleans about its sanctuary city policy, saying that it must comply with federal immigration law or lose federal funding.
In the letter, which was addressed to Mayor Mitchell Landrieu, the DOJ said New Orleans was not in compliance because of its law that stipulates that police officers “shall not make inquiries into an individual’s immigration status, except as authorized by this chapter.”
Landry said the decision to allow a sanctuary city ban will make communities safer.
"A ban against sanctuary cities is another step towards keeping our communities safe,” Landry said.
The DOJ’s letter in October said New Orleans can’t restrict officers and employees from requesting information regarding immigration status from federal immigration officers.
“I hope this ruling will assist in reducing the number of devastating crimes committed by illegal aliens against American citizens,” Landry said in the press release. “And I will continue to do all that I legally can to end illegal immigration."