by The Department of Homeland Security has identified over 500 “sanctuary jurisdictions” nationwide, signaling the Trump administration’s intent to intensify enforcement efforts against areas it believes hinder immigration laws. These jurisdictions will receive formal notifications highlighting their noncompliance status and potential violations of federal criminal statutes, with the full list made publicly available on the DHS website.
This move aligns with President Trump’s broader agenda to enforce mass deportations, targeting communities, states, and localities that refuse to fully cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Factors considered in compiling the list include self-identification as sanctuary areas, levels of cooperation with federal immigration authorities, restrictions on sharing information with ICE, and protections afforded to undocumented immigrants.
Following an executive order signed by Trump on April 28, the Secretary of Homeland Security and Attorney General are tasked with regularly updating the list and collaborating with federal agencies to identify and potentially withhold federal funding from these jurisdictions. Continued defiance could prompt legal actions or enforcement measures deemed necessary by the administration.
While there is no formal legal definition of “sanctuary jurisdiction,” the term commonly refers to areas limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. ICE relies heavily on partnerships with local law enforcement, often through 287(g) agreements, which expand local officers’ authority to assist in immigration enforcement. Under the Trump administration, the number of such agreements has increased significantly to support the president’s deportation priorities.
Sanctuary communities argue that their policies encourage immigrant cooperation in crime reporting and emphasize that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, allowing them to prioritize local crime-fighting efforts. Despite legal challenges and public resistance, the Trump administration continues to push measures aimed at curtailing sanctuary policies, including withholding federal funds.
