Legal analyst Gregg Jarrett stated Monday on Fox Business that Democratic officials who attempt to shield illegal immigrants could face serious legal consequences, including potential jail time or the loss of federal funding.
The discussion arose in light of the indictment of Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old Guatemalan national, who allegedly killed a woman by setting her on fire during a subway ride. Appearing on The Bottom Line, Jarrett addressed questions about an immigration detainer issued for Zapeta-Calil. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informed Fox News that while the detainer was filed, the New York City Department of Corrections declined to honor it, citing its current policy.
“Well, that individual is defying several federal laws. It’s a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield anybody here illegally. It’s also a felony to interrupt, hinder, or impede federal officials in deportation, as you just pointed out,” Jarrett said. “So for example, in Denver, the mayor at one point promised, ‘Oh, I’m going to mobilize police and the citizens. We’re going to stop Trump’s deportation orders.’ Well, I got news for him. That is a crime punishable by five years behind bars for each illegal you are shielding. So if you’re shielding 10, that’s 50 years, 20, that’s 100 years behind bars.”
Since President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in November, Democratic officials have intensified their opposition to his proposed plans for the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in U.S. history. Leaders such as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston have pledged to resist Trump and his nominated border czar, Tom Homan. Johnston has gone so far as to declare that the city’s police and residents will not cooperate with the deportation efforts.
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Jarrett stated that if prison time wouldn’t sufficiently intimidate Democratic officials, a reduction in federal funding might deter their threats. “If the threat of prison isn’t enough to get the attention of these mayors and governors, I say hit them where it really hurts, their wallets,” Jarrett explained. “That’s all they care about is money. Congress passed a law in 1996 that requires them to cooperate with ICE, detainers, information, and so forth. If they don’t do it, they can lose billions of federal dollars doled out each year.”
The Fox legal analyst and attorney added: “That would bankrupt certain cities and states. So it’s long overdue to force these sanctuary jurisdictions to abide by federal law, which, by the way, supersedes any state or local laws on deportation.”