U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks Monday at the National Sheriffs Association Annual Conference in New Orleans, La., at which he repeated the administration's stance on tough immigration enforcement. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo

June 18 (UPI) -- The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court Monday to stay a federal judge's ruling that blocks the Trump administration from denying grants to cities based on immigration policy.

The emergency application, filed by Solicitor General Noel Francisco, seeks to block the Chicago judge's decision that prohibits the Justice Department from denying federal funds to "sanctuary cities," or cities with policies that forbid local compliance with federal immigration laws.


In September, District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber ruled that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions likely overstepped his authority when he urged sanctuary cities to give federal immigration officials access to jails or notify them when a suspected undocumented immigrant is scheduled for release.

Leinenweber's injunction covered sanctuary cities nationwide. Monday, the department asked Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan to limit the effect of the judge's restraining order to only the Chicago area.

Politico reported the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals previously rejected that request.