San Antonio US rep. says sanctuary cities violate federal law

SAN ANTONIO – The issue of sanctuary cities remains a hot topic on Capitol Hill. U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, of San Antonio, says these communities are in a direct violation of federal law.

At a press conference Friday, Smith said sanctuary cities violate a law passed in 1996 that requires municipalities to work with the federal immigration authorities.

He said sanctuary cities released more than 8,000 immigrants in the the country illegally over an eight-month period last year. Smith said the Obama administration releases more than that.

The congressman said he supports a bill that would block any federal grants from going to sanctuary cities. It is scheduled to be voted on in September.