Federal Control Changes Sanctuary Status in D.C.
On Wednesday, former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan stated that the federal government’s takeover in Washington, D.C., under President Donald Trump, means the city can no longer maintain its sanctuary status.
During an appearance on “The Story with Martha McCallum,” Homan noted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is collaborating closely with D.C.’s metropolitan police to detain and deport illegal immigrants involved in criminal activities. He asserted that individuals committing crimes would not be protected by sanctuary laws.
“I don’t see how D.C. can remain a sanctuary city under federal oversight. We’re working together with the police, and any illegal aliens involved in crime will be turned over to ICE,” Homan said.
The administration is addressing violent crime in the capital with interventions led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, which includes deploying the National Guard. On the initial night of Trump’s initiative, approximately 850 officers and agents made 23 arrests related to serious crimes like murder and weapon offenses, as stated by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
On Tuesday night, law enforcement arrested 43 individuals, supported by 30 National Guard troops and 750 police officers. According to local reports, an increased National Guard presence is anticipated in D.C. on Wednesday.
FBI data reveals that while statistics from the metropolitan police indicate a 26% drop in crime, the actual reduction in violent crime since 2024 is only about 10%. This decline may be misleading, as the data exclude certain categories of serious assaults.
Amid these developments, the D.C. police have launched an investigation to determine if commanders manipulated data, exaggerating the perception of crime reduction.
Since Trump’s administration began, illegal border crossings have fallen to historic lows. Over 300,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested since he took office for his second term, resulting in a rise in the number of detainees in ICE facilities from 39,000 in January to over 60,000 by August, according to recent reports.
