Donald Trump’s second administration was serious about mass deportations of illegal criminals and violent individuals who need to be prioritized for removal from the United States. They kicked off the first day of his second term with a number of executive orders with some of them geared towards securing the U.S. southern border with Mexico and reforming the immigration process, all ultimately to protect Americans and cut down on the abuse of the system.

It’s not just the illegal immigrants the Donald Trump allies are worried about, though. As Trump’s border czar has noted, the issue of so-called “sanctuary cities” is a real one because politicians are effectively trying to abuse their power to counter the federal law. Some cities and entire states are putting up signs that illegal immigrants can hide there, safe from any worry of being deported by the federal authorities. Of course this is seriously illegal.

The Trump Administration Escalates Legal Action Against Sanctuary Cities

The Trump administration is intensifying its legal battle with so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, now pursuing criminal investigations and promising to take legal action against any city or state that violates federal immigration laws. This move represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the administration and Democrat-led cities that oppose federal immigration enforcement.

According to a memo obtained by Bloomberg from the Department of Justice (DOJ), a new initiative has been launched: the Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group. This task force is focused on identifying state and local policies or laws that are “inconsistent” with federal immigration enforcement efforts and challenging those laws in court when necessary. The working group’s creation signals a more aggressive stance from the administration in addressing what it sees as the illegal obstruction of federal immigration mandates by local authorities.

“The Supremacy Clause and other authorities require state and local actors to comply with the Executive Branch’s immigration enforcement initiatives,” states the DOJ memo. This refers to the constitutional principle that federal law supersedes state or local laws in cases of conflict. The directive further underscores that “Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests.”

The memo goes on to emphasize that U.S. attorney’s offices and other components within the DOJ will actively investigate any actions by local officials that obstruct federal immigration enforcement, with prosecution being a potential outcome for any violations.

🚨 JUST IN: Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is urging Republicans to SLASH funding for sanctuary cities, per NYP

This is the way! 🔥

“The minute Trump puts his hand on that Bible, the occupation ends, and liberation day begins,” Miller says.

Miller has been VERY… pic.twitter.com/ndx0cD7p6l

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 17, 2025

Legal Framework and Trump’s Approach

The Trump administration’s aggressive stance is grounded in a belief that sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), undermine national security and public safety. The DOJ’s memo points to various federal statutes that it claims sanctuary policies violate, including those linked to the President’s authority over foreign affairs and national security, as well as the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Alien Enemies Act.

In addition to these legal justifications, the memo suggests that local governments are legally obligated to assist federal agencies in enforcing immigration laws. Although there is no universally accepted definition of a “sanctuary city,” the term generally refers to jurisdictions that enact policies to limit or outright prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. These local laws are often seen by their proponents as protecting undocumented immigrants from potential deportation or detention.

The Trump administration has long criticized such policies, and this latest effort is part of a push to challenge sanctuary jurisdictions that have grown in prominence, particularly in Democratic-led cities and states. It follows a trend of heightened resistance among local governments to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, with several cities passing or strengthening sanctuary laws in response to the Trump administration’s tough stance on immigration.

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s election, several major cities, including Los Angeles, Boston, and San Diego, took steps to strengthen their sanctuary policies. These actions ranged from passing new laws that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, to reaffirming the sanctuary status of their cities and counties.

For instance, after the 2016 election, Los Angeles passed sanctuary legislation that shields immigrants from federal immigration enforcement efforts. San Diego County officials also doubled down on their existing sanctuary policies, while the Boston City Council voted unanimously to reaffirm its status as a sanctuary city. In early 2019, Chicago’s City Council rejected an attempt by more moderate members to scale back its sanctuary policy, which would have allowed for greater cooperation with ICE, especially regarding criminal migrants.

These moves have come in response to President Trump’s rhetoric and his administration’s heavy-handed approach to immigration, including the controversial family separations and increased deportations. While many sanctuary city mayors and lawmakers argue that these policies protect vulnerable populations and prevent the fear of deportation from tearing apart families, the Trump administration contends that such practices are illegal and jeopardize public safety.

Trump’s Border Czar: Legal Action on the Horizon

Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s former Border Czar, has been particularly vocal in his support for prosecuting local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Homan, who spearheaded the administration’s large-scale deportation efforts, previously stated in an interview with The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) that sanctuary cities are violating federal law by obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

“There are federal statutes on the books for knowingly concealing and harboring an illegal alien away from ICE officers,” Homan told the DCNF. “There are statutes on the books about impeding federal law enforcement officers – they’re all felonies.”

Homan has consistently argued that sanctuary cities cannot outright refuse to assist ICE. While he acknowledges that these cities are not legally required to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, he stresses that “they cannot cross that line.” Homan warned that if local jurisdictions interfere with ICE’s operations, the DOJ will pursue prosecution. “If they cross that line, we’ll be asking the attorney’s office to consider prosecution,” he asserted.

Watch Dana Bash do a double-take in shock and horror as Tom Homan explains to her that an illegal alien doesn’t have to be convicted of a serious crime to face deportation.

Amazing stuff. pic.twitter.com/QdNAgOhyEe

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 21, 2025

What do you think of sanctuary cities? Do illegal immigrants have a right to stay in the United States? Let us know what you think in the comments below.