Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted on Sunday night his intention to ban sanctuary cities in Texas and move to cut funding to them.

This is welcome news, considering that many Democratic governors and mayors have pledged to continue to protect illegal aliens from the law. 

The Hill:

Abbott was responding to a Twitter user who questioned whether the Texas governor could do anything to reverse Austin's pledge to remain a sanctuary city.

During his presidential campaign, President-elect Donald Trumppledged to deport millions of immigrants.

He said during an interview shortly after his victory he would prioritize deporting or jailing any undocumented immigrants who were members of gangs or had criminal records.

He also vowed during the campaign to block federal dollars from cities that give sanctuary to undocumented immigrants.

Democratic governors and mayors signaled earlier this month that they will not go along with the Trump administration's plans.

Not quite a withering broadside – more like a shot across the bow.  Sanctuary cities are going to fight tooth and nail in the courts to maintain their status as a safe haven for illegals.  The problem for Abbott and Trump is that local and state authorities are under no legal obligation to enforce federal immigration statutes.  The courts have said if the feds want to enforce strict immigration policies, they must do it themselves.

In the past, the federal government, citing insufficient resources, allowed states and cities to determine their own policies toward illegals.  That may change, as Donald Trump has promised to expand immigration enforcement resources.  But non-cooperation might still throw a monkey wrench into Trump's and Abbott's plans.

If the feds were to capture some illegal aliens in a sanctuary city, where would they detain them?  The city can't be forced to make space in their jails for federal prisoners.  Nor can the cops be required to assist federal efforts in any way.

Actions of this sort are what sanctuary cities and states will use to thwart Donald Trump.  The whole mess is going to end up going to the Supreme Court, where it is hoped that a conservative majority will finally put an end to this defiance.