The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has named more than 500 cities, counties, and states as “sanctuary jurisdictions” in a new move aimed at increasing pressure on places that the Trump administration believes are obstructing immigration enforcement.
What Are Sanctuary Jurisdictions?
Sanctuary jurisdictions are local areas that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These places often restrict sharing information about undocumented immigrants or provide legal protections to them.
There is no clear legal definition of what a sanctuary jurisdiction is, but the term generally refers to areas that do not assist ICE in identifying or detaining immigrants who may face deportation.
What Did DHS Do?
On Thursday, DHS published a list on its website identifying the jurisdictions it considers noncompliant with federal immigration laws. Each area on the list will receive a formal notice stating whether it is believed to be violating any federal criminal laws.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said, “These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens.”
Background: Trump’s Executive Order on Sanctuary Jurisdictions
President Trump signed an executive order on April 28 that requires DHS and the Attorney General to publish a list of sanctuary jurisdictions. The order directs federal agencies to identify and cut off federal grants or contracts to these areas.
If sanctuary jurisdictions remain “in defiance” after being notified, the Attorney General and DHS Secretary have the authority to take legal or enforcement action against them.
How Does ICE Work with Local Law Enforcement?
ICE, which enforces immigration laws nationwide with around 6,000 officers, often depends on local law enforcement to help detain immigrants targeted for deportation. Local agencies can enter into 287(g) agreements allowing them to carry out immigration enforcement duties, greatly expanding ICE’s reach.
Under the Trump administration, the number of these agreements has increased rapidly.
Why Some Communities Resist Cooperation
Many sanctuary jurisdictions argue that cooperation with ICE makes immigrants less likely to report crimes or assist law enforcement. They also say immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and local resources should focus on public safety and crime prevention.
Legal and Political Pushback
The Trump administration has issued several executive orders to punish sanctuary jurisdictions by withholding federal funds. However, many of these actions have faced legal challenges in courts.
One order demands federal agencies ensure no payments support policies that shield undocumented immigrants from deportation.