Columbus sues Trump over inclusion on list of 'sanctuary cities' targeted to lose funding

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The city of Columbus sued the Trump administration over its inclusion on a list of "sanctuary cities" targeted to have funding withheld, despite the city not declaring itself one.

The Trump administration released a list of "sanctuary cities" earlier this year, which included Columbus, following an executive order from President Donald Trump. That list has since been removed from the Department of Homeland Security website.

"While we pride ourselves on being an open and accepting city, Columbus is not a sanctuary city. We've never been one," City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement. "We comply with federal law. And yet, this administration is still threatening to withhold millions of dollars in funding based on nonsense."

Mayor Andrew Ginther signed an executive order in 2017 which said “it shall be the policy of the City of Columbus to vigorously oppose any effort to require the use of local taxpayer resources for the enforcement of federal immigration policy.” That executive order was later codified by council.

Columbus joined Tuesday's lawsuit with dozens of other cities. The lawsuit calls Trump's actions an "abuse of power."

"In flagrant disregard of the law, President Trump seeks once again to punish those who disagree with him, coerce local authorities, and commandeer them into carrying out his agenda," the lawsuit reads.

A news release posted to the DHS website on May 29 said "sanctuary cities" are putting law enforcement in danger and protecting criminals.

"We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. "President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law."

The lawsuit states that Columbus stands to lose more than $4.1 million in Department of Justice grants to fund crime reduction efforts and $7 million in counterterrorism grant funding.

"In Columbus, we comply with state and federal laws and protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone who calls our city home," Mayor Andrew Ginther said in a statement. "We are joining this suit to sustain crucial federal safety funding that has helped to curtail violence in our city. This funding should not be jeopardized when our actions have been entirely within the law."

The city argues that it could be forced to make difficult decisions on which programs to fund, which to cut, and potentially consider tax levies to fund police and fire departments.