Trump says he would push for a ban on sanctuary cities and “increase” law enforcement to “turn over” undocumented immigrants

() – Former US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would push for legislation to ban sanctuary cities if re-elected and would “increase federal law enforcement” to “turn over” undocumented immigrants.

“Today I am announcing a new plan to end all sanctuary cities in North Carolina and across our country. No more sanctuary cities,” Trump said at a campaign rally in Wilmington, North Carolina.

“As soon as I take office, we will immediately increase federal law enforcement in every city that is failing, which is many, to turn over criminal aliens and we will hunt down, capture every gang member, drug dealer, rapist, murderer and criminal immigrant who is being harbored illegally.”

“I will ask Congress to pass legislation banning sanctuary cities nationwide and we will bring the full weight of the federal government to bear on any jurisdiction that refuses to cooperate with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)… and our great Border Patrol,” Trump said.

“Sanctuary city” is a broad term applied to jurisdictions that have policies designed to limit cooperation with or participation in federal immigration enforcement actions. Trump regularly attacked sanctuary cities as president and attempted to stop federal funding for them with executive action, but was blocked by a federal court.