Sanctuary cities such as Philadelphia refuse to cooperate with the federal government in locating suspected terrorists who are in their custody and are in the country illegally. This refusal is simply inexcusable in light of the growing threat from violent Islamist extremism and recent terror attacks in San Bernardino, Orlando, and elsewhere.

-Senator Pat Toomey, who has made sanctuary cities a major campaign issue as he runs a highly competitive reelection race in Pennsylvania.

The immigration fight is coming back to the Senate floor in July.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) teed up a procedural vote on legislation that would withhold congressional funding from so-called sanctuary cities, which are cities and counties that bar their local law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Donald Trump, then one of more than a dozen Republicans vying for the GOP presidential nomination, had highlighted Steinle’s death and “sanctuary cities” on the campaign trail. But more recently, it’s Republican Sen. Pat Toomey who’s made sanctuary cities a major campaign issue as he runs a highly competitive reelection race in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia is known as a sanctuary city. As he assumed office in January, Mayor Jim Kenney said the city would return to its old policy of not allowing cooperation between local jails and the feds, who want to be told when an immigrant will be released so the immigrant can be deported. The exceptions are when federal immigrant officials obtain a warrant and the person has been convicted of a violent felony.

Read More: Politico

Featured Image – Via Indyweek – public distribution rights