Leaders from Democrat-led states pushed again after the DOJ warned state and native officers of doable legal legal responsibility over sanctuary insurance policies.
Governors and mayors in a number of sanctuary jurisdictions pushed again this week in opposition to demand letters from U.S. Legal professional Common Pam Bondi warning of authorized motion and doable legal fees for state and native officers who restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Bondi’s Aug. 13 letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned, “For too long, so-called sanctuary jurisdiction policies have undermined this necessary cooperation and obstructed federal immigration enforcement, giving aliens cover to perpetrate crimes in our communities and evade the immigration consequences that federal law requires.”
She added, “Individuals operating under the color of law, using their official position to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts and facilitating or inducing illegal immigration may be subject to criminal charges.”
In her letter, Bondi cited President Donald Trump’s April government order directing the Division of Justice (DOJ) and federal companies to establish sanctuary jurisdictions, pursue litigation, and look at circumstances on federal funding going to these jurisdictions.
In a publish on X, Bondi wrote, “Any sanctuary jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court.”
She mentioned the letters are a key step in a strategic effort “to eradicate sanctuary policies from California to New York.”
Earlier this month, the DOJ additionally launched a checklist of sanctuary jurisdictions, defining them as endorsing “actions and policies that materially impede enforcement of federal immigration statutes and regulations.” The checklist consists of 12 states, 4 counties, and 18 cities, together with New York Metropolis, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Newsom’s workplace formally responded on Aug. 19, citing constitutional protections and legal professional ethics guidelines.
“The last time around, the federal government sued—and lost,” wrote David Sapp, the governor’s authorized affairs secretary, referencing the Ninth Circuit’s 2019 ruling in United States v. California. “It is now settled law in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that California law limiting law enforcement coordination with federal immigration enforcement activities ‘does not directly conflict with any obligations that the [Immigration and Nationality Act] or other federal statutes impose on state or local governments.’”
The letter mentioned that prosecuting California officers for following state regulation would “flout the rule of law, as well as likely constitute malicious prosecution.”
“Any California attorney involved in threatening or initiating such a prosecution in California may therefore risk facing an ethics complaint to the California State Bar,” it said.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu cited the tenth Modification at a information convention on Aug. 19.
“Today, we are here to say Boston will not bow down,” she mentioned. “Today, we are here to say that Massachusetts will not be bullied.”
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell mentioned in a press release to native outlet KIRO 7 Information: “Immigration enforcement is the unique duty of the federal authorities. The Metropolis neither interferes with nor carries out these federal duties. Now we have obtained and are reviewing the newest letter from Legal professional Common Bondi and strongly disagree with its assertions.
“Our laws and policies protect the safety, privacy and constitutional rights of all Seattle residents while remaining compliant with applicable law. We remain committed to our local values, including being a welcoming city for all. We will continue to defend our residents and our rights—and we will not hesitate to do so in court.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek mentioned in a assertion shared on X: “I will fight for the safety and prosperity of every Oregonian, from recent immigrants to people who have been here for generations. Threats like this undermine our values and our right to govern ourselves. We will not be bullied into doing the federal government’s job of immigration enforcement.”
The DOJ mentioned its personnel have been instructed to “investigate incidents involving any such potential unlawful conduct and … where supported by the evidence, prosecute violations of federal laws.”
The DOJ didn’t reply by publication time to a request for touch upon the state and native leaders’ responses to Bondi.
Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
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