- The Justice Department has published a list of states, cities, and counties designated as sanctuary jurisdictions.
- The action follows President Trump’s April 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to enforce immigration laws more aggressively.
- Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the administration will pursue litigation and policy changes to end sanctuary practices.
- The list includes jurisdictions from California to New York, with legal action already initiated against some, including New York City.
The Big Picture
The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday released its first official list of sanctuary jurisdictions, identifying more than a dozen states and numerous cities and counties with policies that federal officials say hinder immigration enforcement. The list stems from Executive Order 14287 signed by President Donald Trump in April, calling for stronger action against areas that “defy” federal immigration law.
The move marks a renewed crackdown on sanctuary cities—localities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Justice Department emphasized that such policies create “legal loopholes that put American communities at risk.”
What’s New
The newly published list includes:
- States: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington
- Counties: Baltimore County (MD), Cook County (IL), San Diego County (CA), San Francisco County (CA)
- Cities: Albuquerque (NM), Berkeley (CA), Boston (MA), Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), East Lansing (MI), Hoboken (NJ), Jersey City (NJ), Los Angeles (CA), New Orleans (LA), New York City (NY), Newark (NJ), Paterson (NJ), Philadelphia (PA), Portland (OR), Rochester (NY), Seattle (WA), San Francisco (CA)
What They’re Saying
“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi, as quoted in a DOJ press release. “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.”
What’s Next
The Justice Department confirmed that this initial list is not exhaustive and will continue to be updated as more data becomes available. Officials also noted that legal challenges are already underway, including a lawsuit filed against New York City on July 24. Meanwhile, other cities like Louisville, Kentucky have reportedly backed off sanctuary policies following pressure from the department.
The Bottom Line
The publication of this list signals the Trump administration’s escalating campaign to dismantle sanctuary protections nationwide. With legal action ramping up and the federal government offering assistance to jurisdictions that choose to comply, the policy shift marks a significant pivot in U.S. immigration enforcement under the current administration.
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