Contributed photo
Contributed photo
The City of Chicago could lose billions in federal aid in 2017 if President-elect Donald Trump carries through on his plan to deny funding to communities that do not help deport illegal aliens, the Better Government Association said.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and leaders of other cities have vowed to resist Trump's spoken plans, which are largely opposed to protections for illegal immigrants.
Trump's power and authority to eliminate federal funding have been questioned by legal experts, as urban mayors fret over the potential loss of resources that help many in their cities.
Chicago anticipates $3.6 billion in federal funding next year. These funds are used to repair roads and other infrastructure, as well as help feed low-income families, hire police officers and retrain workers. Funding also supplements public school education.
A study by the Pew Research Center estimates that in 2014, more than 11 million immigrants without legal immigration status lived in the U.S. and that at least 8 million of them were employed or seeking employment. That includes 450,000 immigrants in Illinois.
Chicago is considered a “sanctuary” city, dating back to a 1980s policy that prohibits city employees from asking residents about immigration or citizenship status.
Emanuel said during a November press conference that Chicago always would be a “sanctuary” city.
Alerts Sign-up