By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
The Trump administration has reignited its battle with states and cities that maintain sanctuary policies, vowing to “come after” jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi last week issued letters to states, cities, and counties, warning that noncompliance with federal deportation efforts could trigger federal action. In a Fox News interview, she declared, “You better be abiding by our federal policies and with our federal law enforcement, because if you aren’t, we’re going to come after you.”
Sanctuary policies generally bar local police from assisting with immigration raids or holding individuals for federal deportation unless ordered by a court. Many leaders in targeted states have pushed back strongly. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha dismissed the warnings, calling them “the tactic of a bully,” insisting that states will not be intimidated.
The renewed crackdown follows a major legal setback for the administration. On July 25, a federal judge dismissed its case against Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County, ruling that their decision not to enforce civil immigration law was protected under the Tenth Amendment. Other courts have also blocked attempts to withhold unrelated federal funding from sanctuary governments.
Despite these defeats, the Justice Department on August 5 released a trimmed-down list of sanctuary jurisdictions, naming 12 states—including California, New York, Colorado, Illinois, and Washington—as well as the District of Columbia, four counties, and 18 cities. The new list is narrower than an earlier one that had included nearly 500 counties and cities, some of which were fully cooperating with immigration enforcement.
States and cities named on the list remain defiant. Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ office rejected the “sanctuary” label, emphasizing that the state cooperates with federal authorities on criminal matters but treats immigration as a civil issue. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont defended his state’s Trust Act, which limits compliance with immigration detainer requests, saying it prioritizes community safety and constitutional rights.
In Rochester, New York—also listed—city officials said Bondi’s letter held “no legal merit” and dismissed it as a repetition of failed arguments already struck down in court.
The escalating battle underscores the ongoing clash between federal immigration enforcement and states’ rights. While the Trump administration is pressing for greater cooperation, courts have so far sided with states and cities that choose not to participate in deportation efforts.
Source: Michigan Advance, Stateline / States Newsroom
