Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), visited Austin on Tuesday and said the federal government wants to eliminate so-called sanctuary states and sanctuary cities.
According to the federal government's definition of the term, sanctuary states and cities are those that don't collaborate with immigration authorities by transferring custody of undocumented immigrants who are detained at a county or city jail.
Nielsen noted that those localities should not receive certain federal grants.
“If these sanctuary states and cities do not want to protect their citizens by upholding federal law, then they are not entitled to the federal government’s money,” said the Secretary during a press conference.
During her visit to Texas, Nielsen met with Governor Greg Abbott and discussed the post-Harvey recovery.
“Governor Abbott's leadership and the tireless efforts of first responders, state and local officials, and volunteers has led to a successful initial recovery, but there's still more work to be done,” Nielsen stated, according to a news release from the Governor's office.