Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will end the practice of some 300 cities, towns and states giving "sanctuary" to illegal criminal immigrants instead of handing them over to federal authorities for deportation.

In a statement issued as he readied for a meeting with Mexico's president and later his delivery of a major address on immigration, his campaign issued a statement detailing the outlines of his plan.

"Throughout his presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump has been consistent in his calls to end illegal immigration by building a wall on our southern border. He is the only candidate in this race who will stop illegal immigration, secure our border, end sanctuary cities, enforce our existing laws and stop American employers from hiring illegal workers. These reforms will not only put an end to our illegal immigration epidemic — they will promote safe communities and good-paying jobs that will make America great again," said the statement from Tana Goertz, a campaign senior advisor.

Despite a funding cut-off threat from the Justice Department, over 300 so-called "sanctuary cities" are protecting thousands of illegal criminal immigrants from federal arrest and deportation, according to a new analysis.

The Center for Immigration Studies on Wednesday published a new interactive map identifying the cities, towns and counties that have so far protected at least 17,000 criminal illegals instead of handing them over to federal authorities. Of those, 68 percent have prior criminal records.



CLICK TO SEE THE MAP OF SANCTUARY CITIES

"Across the U.S., there are over 300 cities, counties, and states that are considered 'sanctuary cities.' These jurisdiction protect criminal aliens from deportation by refusing to comply with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement detainers or otherwise impede open communication and information exchanges between their employees or officers and federal immigration agents," said the analysis from experts.

Jessica M. Vaughan, director of policy studies for the Center, said that the newest sanctuaries are in Kentucky, three near Lexington and one near Cincinnati.

The sanctuaries, most in urban areas and in coastal states, have come under fire for refusing to detain criminal illegals for ICE officers. Some instead release the illegals and thousands have been tied to more crimes, including murder.

Vaughan said that there were 1,591 jails and city lock-ups that ignored ICE detainers over the 19-month period.

Jim Steinle, second from left, father of Kathryn Steinle, in photograph, testifies next to Montgomery County (Md.) Police Department. Chief J. Thomas Manger, right, before a Senate Judiciary hearing to examine the Administration's immigration enforcement policies, in Washington, Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Kathryn Steinle was killed on a San Francisco pier, allegedly by a man previously deported several times. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)

Republican Donald Trump has promised to shut down the cities and the Department of Justice, under pressure from House Republicans, has begun warning the sanctuary areas of federal funding cuts if the continue to snub federal requests for illegal immigrants held in jails.

The CIS map and analysis of ICE data displayed a shocking disregard by states and cities to demands from the feds that criminal illegals be detained for pick up later.

"Over the 19-month period from January 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, more than 17,000 detainers were rejected by these jurisdictions. Of these, about 11,800 detainers, or 68 percent, were issued for individuals with a prior criminal history," said CIS.

I have accepted the invitation of President Enrique Pena Nieto, of Mexico, and look very much forward to meeting him tomorrow. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2016



The Center described sanctuary cities:

These cities, counties, and states have laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies, or other practices that obstruct immigration enforcement and shield criminals from ICE — either by refusing to or prohibiting agencies from complying with ICE detainers, imposing unreasonable conditions on detainer acceptance, denying ICE access to interview incarcerated aliens, or otherwise impeding communication or information exchanges between their personnel and federal immigration officers.

A detainer is the primary tool used by ICE to gain custody of criminal aliens for deportation. It is a notice to another law enforcement agency that ICE intends to assume custody of an alien and includes information on the alien's previous criminal history, immigration violations, and potential threat to public safety or security.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com