Trump administration: Louisville is not a sanctuary city and complies with federal law

The Trump administration has found Louisville is not a sanctuary city or in violation of federal immigration law, after the Department of Justice reviewed a city rule for compliance and threatened to cut grant money.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement that the results of the federal review shows Louisville is a "welcoming city of compassion."

"This finding underscores that it is possible to be in compliance with federal law and still embrace the foreign-born neighbors who are fueling our population growth, building businesses and helping attract companies that increasingly want to be in global communities," Fischer said on Saturday.

Louisville was one of roughly two-dozen cities targeted by the federal government during a crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities that defy federal law by shielding undocumented immigrants from deportation. But the city ordinance in question does not make the city a sanctuary city, officials with the Department of Justice found.

Background: Metro Council forbids cops from assisting federal immigration agents

"Based on the materials you have provided, we found no evidence that the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government is currently out of compliance with section 1373," Jon Adler, the director of the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, wrote in a letter obtained by Courier Journal.

The rule in question forbids police from assisting on immigration arrests unless a judge signs a warrant or there is a danger to the public.

Supporters said the ordinance was needed to make clear officers are separate from those agencies, after it was discovered that police had joined federal agents on two-dozen sting operations last year.

Those who were behind the change said undocumented individuals are less likely to report crimes, such as domestic violence, if they fear deportation.

"At the time the ordinance was discussed and passed, we were confident that we (were) dealing with a public safety issue and there was never any intention to hinder federal enforcement of immigration laws," Metro Council President David James wrote in a statement. "I am pleased that DOJ is satisfied with what was passed and we can move forward."

In January, the administration threatened Fischer with a subpoena if the city didn't turn over additional documents about a local rule forbidding police from cooperating with federal immigration agents.

"Should you fail to respond in a complete and timely manner, the department will subpoena these documents," Adler wrote in a letter.

Officials at the time were concerned about the ordinance, approved by Metro Council last year, because they felt it may violate federal rules or, at minimum, "they may be interpreted or applied in a manner inconsistent" with federal immigration law.

Fischer bristled at the threat in a statement at the time, writing "before accusations are made, we expect a basic level of evidence, which the (Justice Department) has not provided."

An earlier Dec. 8 response to the federal government said the Trump administration was overreacting to the ordinance.

"Louisville is both in compliance with the federal law and a welcoming city. We will provide the additional documents sought; a subpoena is an unnecessary threat. Picking fights for political reasons is a disservice to all Louisvillians, Kentuckians and Americans," Fischer wrote on Jan. 24.

More: Trump threat to cut money over immigration law 'petty,' mayor's office says

The Justice Department asked for information about the ordinance in November, saying it could result in Louisville losing a $570,000 grant used for mobile data terminal systems for police vehicles.

Justice Department officials sent similar letters to several other cities and states in January as the Trump administration escalated its crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities.

Trump officials said local and state jurisdictions must provide information about their policies or risk losing a range of federal funds for law enforcement tied to compliance with immigration law. Several major cities have openly defied the Trump administration's efforts and others have filed lawsuits over plans to withhold federal dollars.

Reporter Phillip Bailey contributed to this report. Darcy Costello: 502-582-4834; dcostello@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @dctello. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/darcyc.