WASHINGTON | The White House considered going after political opponents by pushing U.S. immigration authorities to release detained immigrants into “sanctuary cities,” three sources familiar with the idea confirmed Friday.
They told The Associated Press that President Donald Trump considered the proposal amid his ongoing battling Democrats over border wall funding.
A White House official said the idea was floated and rejected. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions, said when administration officials suggested it to Department of Homeland Security officials and others, they were told it was “no-go.”
The Washington Post said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s district in San Francisco was among the targets.
Sanctuary cities are places where authorities don’t work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to round up those living in the country illegally.