Targeting Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Department of Justice's Enforcement Efforts
The U.S. Department of Justice has identified 35 "sanctuary jurisdictions" that it plans to target for impeding the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that sanctuary policies hinder law enforcement efforts and put American citizens at risk intentionally. The Department of Justice is committed to taking legal action against these jurisdictions and collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security to eliminate these policies nationwide.
Among the sanctuary jurisdictions listed are Boston, as well as three New England states: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Four states, including California, New York, Colorado, and Illinois, have already faced lawsuits from the federal government regarding their immigration policies. The release of the list follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April, with the Justice Department outlining its criteria for inclusion and indicating that the list will be updated as more information is gathered.
The Department of Justice is open to working with jurisdictions that wish to be removed from the list by helping them identify and eliminate their sanctuary policies. The full list of sanctuary jurisdictions includes states, counties, and cities. The Department's goal is to ensure that all jurisdictions comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts to enhance public safety and national security.