The city of Portland has decided to pass on a federal Justice Department grant that provides nearly $70,000 in police funding.
That's because new language in the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant requires city officials to confirm that their city doesn't induce or encourage non-citizens to come or to reside in their community, and does not aid or abet such actions.
The Portland Press-Herald reports that the Portland Community Support Fund, which helps meet the needs of asylum seekers who don't qualify for General Assistance, could be construed as violating that rule.
The JAG grant is normally used to pay for police training and technology. The city has received the grant annually for the last several years. It's worth about $68,000.