washington attorney general jeff sessions threaten monday cut u.s. justice department grant cities fail assist federal immigration authorities move trump administration close potential clash leaders america large urban center sessions statements aim dozens cities local governments include new york los angeles chicago join grow sanctuary movement aim shield illegal immigrants stepped-up deportation efforts police agencies jurisdictions bar officer routinely check immigration status make arrest traffic stop refuse lock individuals long otherwise warrant request federal agents seek deport trump administration officials say deportation crackdown focus illegal immigrants convict serious crimes insist public safety jeopardize police refuse notify u.s. immigration customs enforcement plan release person local custody failure deport alien convict criminal offenses put whole communities risk especially immigrant communities sanctuary jurisdictions seek protect perpetrators sessions say white house news brief threat withhold grant punishment draw swift condemnation california new york officials california senate leader kevin de leon los angeles democrat call sessions threat nothing short blackmail accuse race-based scapegoating crackdown immigrants critics also argue enlist police cooperation round immigrants removal undermine communities trust local police particularly among latinos question whether administration really target dangerous criminals president donald trump make tough immigration enforcement cornerstone campaign direct government cut fund sanctuary jurisdictions jan. 25 executive order order yet put effect sessions announcement seem first step justice department grant typically use help police improve crime-fighting techniques buy new equipment assist victims crime sessions may find ability sway local decision-making justice department purse limit fraction grant dollars flow directly city county governments federal record show justice department doled billion state governments 430 million nonprofits 136 million directly cities counties last year new york state attorney general eric schneiderman say office would continue help local governments tool need protect immigrant communities los angeles mayor eric garcetti whose city home one large u.s. immigrant communities also denounce sessions threat use fund form coercion l.a. value sale garcetti say slash fund first responders port airport counterterrorism crime-fighting community-building serve one far state adopt policies bar cooperation immigration authorities though maryland democratic-controlled house delegate approve legislation last week state republican governor larry hogan say would veto bill california de leon back bill would essentially make populous u.s. state sanctuary currently vote pass sessions seek frame debate public-safety issue cite case woman shoot death san francisco two years ago illegal immigrant already deport five time seven felony convictions san francisco may affect new restrictions city county receive fund department recent fiscal year however sessions order could impact jurisdictions new orleans philadelphia chicago new york city single possibly noncompliant inspector general report last year collectively receive 15 million justice department grant accord trump executive order sessions would wait homeland security department determine constitute sanctuary city fund restrict dhs last week report roughly 120 cities counties deem uncooperative though agency finalize list sal tinajero council member california sanctuary city santa ana question whether sessions even authority make good threat take money away congress already vote allocate congress take another vote say u.s. attorney general escalate pressure 'sanctuary cities