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Crack down on sanctuary cities

If you are a school district that refuses to allow students to use the restroom of their choosing, you could be in big trouble. Your federal funding could be reduced or eliminated.

But if you are a city proclaiming to illegal immigrants that you will help them dodge federal law, no problem. Uncle Sam will ensure the money keeps rolling in.

That makes no sense at all. But in politically correct America, that is the way the federal government operates. Local entities breaking laws with which the White House disagrees are coddled. Those refusing to make drastic changes ordered not by Congress but through the Oval Office are punished.

Mayor Ras Baraka, of Newark, N.J., announced Monday his city wCill continue to take steps to help illegal immigrants. Citing Newark’s “policy of protecting undocumented immigrants from deportation by U.S. immigration authorities,” Baraka said it will remain in force.

Officials in an estimated 130 cities throughout the country have similar programs. The municipalities have become known as “sanctuary cities.”

During the election campaign, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to interrupt the flow of taxpayers’ dollars to such cities.

This week, however, there were reports Trump might rethink some proposals related to illegal immigration. The famous “wall” may be reconsidered.

But dealing harshly with sanctuary cities should remain on the Trump agenda, not necessarily to curb illegal immigration, but simply because local officials should not be permitted to pick and choose which federal laws they will support and which they will disobey.

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