Louisiana AG on sanctuary cities: 'Unfortunately, New Orleans is part of the problem'

The Louisiana Attorney General said Monday that New Orleans is "part of the problem" regarding sanctuary cities in the U.S.Earlier Monday, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he is "urging states and local jurisdictions to comply with these federal laws" with regard to sanctuary cities.SEE ALSO: AG Jeff Sessions: Sanctuary cities must end“I have been warning Louisiana officials that we needed to end Sanctuary Cities in our state. Now the chickens are coming home to roost," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a statement. "We have an illegal immigration problem across the country and certainly in Louisiana. Unfortunately, New Orleans is part of this problem as the only Sanctuary City in Louisiana."Landry said that by refusing to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Crescent City is "risking not only the security of citizens in our State but also their funding."Landry said he wrote a letter a year ago to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, indicating that the city was in violation of federal law. "He has ignored my plea and even doubled down on political hyperbole in opposing President Trump’s efforts on this problem," Landry said. "This is not a time for politics. It is time for leaders to work together to solve this evident public safety issue."Landry said he applauded Sessions and the Trump administration for taking steps to order cities to follow federal law. Sessions said the Justice Department will require compliance with immigration laws in order for the cities to receive grants through the Office of Justice Programs. The Obama administration had a similar policy in place.

The Louisiana Attorney General said Monday that New Orleans is "part of the problem" regarding sanctuary cities in the U.S.

Earlier Monday, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he is "urging states and local jurisdictions to comply with these federal laws" with regard to sanctuary cities.

Advertisement Related Content AG Jeff Sessions: Sanctuary cities must end

SEE ALSO: AG Jeff Sessions: Sanctuary cities must end

“I have been warning Louisiana officials that we needed to end Sanctuary Cities in our state. Now the chickens are coming home to roost," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a statement. "We have an illegal immigration problem across the country and certainly in Louisiana. Unfortunately, New Orleans is part of this problem as the only Sanctuary City in Louisiana."

Landry said that by refusing to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Crescent City is "risking not only the security of citizens in our State but also their funding."

Landry said he wrote a letter a year ago to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, indicating that the city was in violation of federal law.

"He has ignored my plea and even doubled down on political hyperbole in opposing President Trump’s efforts on this problem," Landry said. "This is not a time for politics. It is time for leaders to work together to solve this evident public safety issue."

Landry said he applauded Sessions and the Trump administration for taking steps to order cities to follow federal law.

Sessions said the Justice Department will require compliance with immigration laws in order for the cities to receive grants through the Office of Justice Programs. The Obama administration had a similar policy in place.