The Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a compilation of over 30 cities, states, and counties labeled as sanctuary jurisdictions, claiming these areas obstruct law enforcement and jeopardize public safety.
According to the DOJ’s press release, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the DOJ intends to pursue legal actions against these sanctuary jurisdictions and collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eliminate what they describe as detrimental policies.
The list includes major metropolitan areas and encompasses Washington, DC, along with states such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island.
Some identified sanctuary cities are Berkeley, California; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Jersey City, New Jersey; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Seattle, Washington; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Bondi remarked, “Sanctuary policies hinder law enforcement efforts and unnecessarily endanger American citizens.” She added that the DOJ will persist in its legal efforts against sanctuary jurisdictions and work alongside DHS to address these policies nationwide.
This announcement follows President Donald Trump’s executive order from April, which was titled “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens.”
Under this executive directive, Bondi coordinated with DHS Executive Director Kristi Noem to produce a “Sanctuary Jurisdictions” list, comprising local and state areas that hinder the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
The directive also mentioned that certain state and local officials are misusing their authority to obstruct and resist federal immigration law enforcement.
Reports indicate that the DOJ is exerting pressure on these sanctuary cities and states to adhere more closely to federal immigration statutes.
Previously, the DOJ took legal action against New York City, criticizing its sanctuary policy for allegedly allowing numerous criminals to evade federal immigration enforcement and, in turn, committing violent acts against law-abiding citizens.
