BALTIMORE (WBFF) — More than a dozen Maryland counties and cities have been targeted by the Trump Administration. They have been deemed ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’ and are now at risk of losing millions of dollars in federal funding.
Baltimore City is one of the jurisdictions targeted, but Mayor Brandon Scot disputes the title saying Baltimore is not a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ because it does not have jurisdiction over its jails, meaning it does not have a policy of not honoring ICE detainer requests.
On a Monday edition of FOX45 Morning News Patrice Sanders spoke with community activist Shannon Wright who says the mayor’s description of the city has brought Baltimore under the microscope of the Trump administration.
“[The mayor saying] we are a ‘welcoming city,’ that is a way folks can feel like they can circumvent the law,” Wright said. “And be able to say they are a ‘sanctuary’ without using that word.”
Wright however, believes that use of the word ‘sanctuary’ does not define whether or not a jurisdiction is one and that distinction could cost Baltimore big.
“Baltimore City stands to lose more than $300 million in [federal funding] is the government decides to pursue what it has said is a course of action,” Wright said. “With an increase in taxes and fees we can not afford to lose another $300 million in federal funding.
You can watch the full discussion by clicking on the video included above, and for more interviews like this one be sure to tune int to FOX45 Morning News every weekday from 4:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.