Bondi DOJ Targets 35 Sanctuary Jurisdictions
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), under Attorney General Pam Bondi, on Tuesday released a list of 35 jurisdictions it accuses of maintaining “sanctuary” policies that allegedly shield undocumented immigrants and “put American citizens at risk.”
In a sharp escalation of the administration’s crackdown on immigration enforcement, Bondi said the DOJ intends to pursue further legal action against these cities, counties, and states unless they begin cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
“These sanctuary jurisdictions impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” said Bondi in a statement. “The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.”
Blue States in the Crosshairs
The list of targeted jurisdictions includes many Democrat-leaning states and cities, such as California, New York, Illinois, and Colorado, as well as Delaware, Minnesota, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. Four counties also appear on the list, alongside major cities like Boston, New Orleans, Seattle, and Philadelphia.
A notable case is Illinois, where the DOJ’s lawsuit challenging the state’s sanctuary laws was dismissed by a federal judge. The court ruled that the policies were constitutionally protected and that the DOJ had overstepped state sovereignty. While the ruling was a setback, the DOJ has the option to appeal or revise its complaint.
Mixed Success in Court, But Pressure Mounts
While some legal efforts have stumbled, others have yielded results. In Louisville, Kentucky, federal pressure led to a policy change after the city faced threats of litigation. Mayor Craig Greenberg modified the city’s detainer policy, agreeing to a 48-hour hold period requested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“These actions are about keeping Americans safe,” said a DOJ spokesperson. “We’re encouraging jurisdictions to come to the table and cooperate.”
The Detainer Debate
At the core of the conflict are ICE detainers, which ask local jails to hold undocumented immigrants for up to 48 hours after their scheduled release, allowing federal agents time to detain them. Sanctuary jurisdictions often refuse to honor these requests, citing concerns about civil rights, local trust, and law enforcement overreach.
Supporters of sanctuary policies argue that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and that local compliance can erode trust between immigrant communities and police.
Political and Legal Implications
The DOJ’s move marks another flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over immigration policy, local autonomy, and public safety. Bondi’s strong stance reflects a broader shift under the Trump administration’s second term, where immigration enforcement has taken center stage once again.
Whether the current list leads to more courtroom battles or policy revisions remains to be seen. But for now, the federal government has made clear that non-cooperative jurisdictions will be held accountable.
