Sanctuary Cities cost taxpayers $27 billion each year -- Here's what's coming next

Most cities may comply with Trump's order, but California is about to rebel.

Sanctuary cities are costing taxpayers money that might be saved under the Trump administration. There are 106 self-identified cities in the U.S. and they receive $27 billion in federal funds each year. President Trump has vowed to cut off these funds if cities do not cooperate with immigration authorities.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Sanctuary cities are safe spaces for illegal immigrants. As a matter of deliberate policy, officials in these cities do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The level of resistance varies from no cooperation whatsoever to restricting the use of municipal funds for immigration enforcement. Federal authorities often require the cooperation of municipal officials, such as police, to do their work.

Illegal immigration is a topic of concern because the nation has a right to secure and control its borders. While it has been portrayed as a national security issue, that case is difficult to make. Very few immigrants have committed acts of terror, and all of them, such as the 9-11 hijackers, entered the country legally.

Still, it is a matter of national sovereignty. Just as nobody has the right to enter your home without permission, nobody has the right to enter another country without permission.

Illegal immigration is also a safety issue because illegal immigrants operate outside of scrutiny which makes them vulnerable to exploitation. Illegal immigrants can be abused in the workplace, underpaid or not paid at all. And many are afraid to report such abuse to the police. Some sanctuary cities protect these immigrants, but not always. People who enter the country and become resident aliens, as opposed to illegal aliens, are more easily protected.

Illegal immigration is also associated with human trafficking and other forms of criminal behavior including drug and weapon smuggling. People who are being smuggled can also die in the act by accident, evil, neglect, or misfortune.

In an effort to stop illegal immigration, the Trump administration has vowed to construct a wall on the border with Mexico and to end federal support of sanctuary cities. An executive order terminating the funding was issued one a week ago. Some cities have agreed to comply, at least in part, others still refused. San Francisco filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.

California may declare itself a sanctuary state.

There are 106 sanctuary cities in the U.S., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York are among them.

Here is the list of the largest sanctuary cities and their federal funding according to The Washington Free Beacon: New York ($7.6 billion), Chicago ($5.3 billion), Philadelphia ($590 million), San Francisco ($509 million), Los Angeles ($502 million), Seattle ($284 million), Providence ($235 million), Denver ($227 million), Austin ($207 million), Newark ($207 million), Portland ($174 million), and Minneapolis ($118 million).

In the city of Los Angeles, 1 in every 5 residents is an illegal alien.

Federal funding to sanctuary cities is significant, and according to a report from openthebooks.com, it costs the average American family of four about $1,810 or $454 per person.

Most of the federal funds are used to finance law enforcement, fire departments and education.

If the order issued by President Trump sticks, several cities will need to scramble to make up billions of dollars in losses. This includes cutting back police, fire, education, and community development. It would likely force many cities to comply because it would be far less expensive to acquiesce to Federal immigration authorities than to find a way to raise taxes by millions of dollars.

The question remains to be resolved, but one thing should not be in doubt. President Trump is determined to halt illegal immigration as best he can, using any means necessary.

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