NEW YORK (AP) - Some U.S. cities have filed a legal brief to support Philadelphia[1] in that city’s legal battle with the federal government over grant money being threatened because of how Philadelphia[2] deals with immigrants who are in the country illegally.

The group includes New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, along with some counties. They filed a brief Thursday with the federal court in Pennsylvania hearing the case over Philadelphia[3]’s so-called “sanctuary city” status.

Philadelphia[4]’s policy is to only turn immigrants over to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement if they have a warrant signed by a judge.

But the Justice Department has threatened to cut off millions of dollars if cities don’t show they’re cooperating with immigration officials.

Philadelphia[5] sued the federal government last year over a move toward grant funding restrictions.

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