^{Editor’s note: This story has been updated.}

Gov.Greg Abbott has followed through on his threat to cut off state funding for Travis County over its new “sanctuary” policy.

Abbott’s office said Wednesday it has canceled criminal justice grants it usually administers to the county, whose sheriff, Sally Hernandez, recently announced her department would reduce its cooperation with federal immigration authorities when they request an inmate be flagged for possible deportation. The policy was set to go into effect Wednesday. 

The move appears to target about $1.5 million Travis County was due to receive this year from the criminal justice division of the governor’s office. The division doled out $1.8 million to the county last year and has already paid out roughly $300,000 in 2017.

“The Governor is willing to sacrifice veterans, women and children to garner political points,” state Rep.Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, said in a statement Wednesday. “Governor Abbott must be held accountable for playing politics with the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities.”

U.S. Rep.Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, went even further in a statement, saying Abbott’s “vindictiveness is more like Russian President Putin’s authoritarian regime than our democracy.”

It appears Abbott is still looking for additional ways to put pressure on Travis County. His officehas given state agencies until Friday to list all their funds to the county, suggesting that money could be cut in addition to the criminal justice grants.

Abbott’s move Wednesday wasfirst reported by the Austin American-Statesman.

Related Tribune coverage:

• Gov. Abbottdemands Travis County reverse new “sanctuary” policy.
• Travis County sheriff announces new “sanctuary” policy.
• Six years later, fight over anti-sanctuary cities bill has changed.

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