News Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice has labeled Boston as a sanctuary jurisdiction, indicating it has policies that obstruct federal immigration law enforcement. This designation has raised concerns among law enforcement about public safety and cooperation with federal immigration agents. Major lawsuits are already underway against other sanctuary cities, highlighting the ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities regarding immigration policy. Boston’s Trust Act limits police cooperation with ICE, aiming to protect residents regardless of their immigration status.
Boston has been identified as one of 35 jurisdictions labeled as “sanctuary jurisdictions” by the U.S. Department of Justice. This designation indicates that these areas are perceived to have policies that obstruct federal immigration law enforcement. The announcement was made in a statement released on Tuesday.
The Justice Department claims that sanctuary policies jeopardize law enforcement efforts and can endanger American citizens. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized that these policies are problematic for public safety, noting that they create a gap between local law enforcement and federal immigration efforts.
Included in the announcement was a reference to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April, which accused local governments of hindering federal immigration enforcement actions. The identified sanctuary jurisdictions consist of a mix of cities, counties, and states, indicating the widespread nature of these policies across the country.
Typical characteristics of sanctuary cities include the implementation of policies that restrict local police from questioning individuals about their immigration status or assisting federal officials with immigration-related issues that do not involve criminal activities. However, local law enforcement agencies are still permitted to collaborate with federal immigration officers in situations that pose serious public safety risks.
In response to the DOJ’s statement, major lawsuits have already been initiated against cities like New York, along with jurisdictions including Los Angeles and states such as Colorado and Illinois. The legal landscape continues to evolve, particularly for two cities in Massachusetts: Chelsea and Somerville, both of which are currently embroiled in legal disputes with the Trump administration over federal financial grants that are contingent upon local immigration policies.
Chelsea reportedly received approximately $14.5 million in federal funding last year, while Somerville obtained about $19.4 million. Both cities contend that federal financial assistance should not be withheld or conditioned upon compliance with federal immigration enforcement activities.
Boston has enacted the Trust Act, first established in 2014 and updated in 2019, which limits the Boston Police Department’s ability to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) solely to significant public safety circumstances. Mayor Michelle Wu has highlighted that the city’s policies are designed to ensure safety for all residents, regardless of their immigration status.
The Department of Justice has expressed intentions to assist those jurisdictions seeking to be removed from the sanctuary list by working to identify and amend their sanctuary policies. Other New England states, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont, were also highlighted in the Justice Department’s list, bringing the total number of designated sanctuary jurisdictions to 13 states.
The current list differs from an earlier one released by the Department of Homeland Security, which faced backlash due to the inclusion of several areas that contradicted their own immigration regulations. While the criteria used by the DOJ to define sanctuary jurisdictions have not been explicitly disclosed, they are said to be based on the degree of local government cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
It is important to note that local police in these sanctuary jurisdictions do not actively prevent federal arrests relating to deportation or other serious criminal offenses. Recently, the mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, made headlines by agreeing to fulfill immigration detainer requests from federal authorities, a move aimed at having their city removed from the sanctuary jurisdiction list.
As the situation surrounding sanctuary jurisdictions continues to unfold, cities and states may find themselves facing increasing pressure from the federal government to enhance cooperation on immigration enforcement. The outcomes of ongoing legal disputes and the response from local policymakers will be crucial in determining the future of immigration policies and local law enforcement practices across the country.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Local Community Remembers Beloved Artist Hayden Brackenbury
Boston Chronicles Catholic Activism During Vietnam War
Boston Mayoral Election: Wu vs. Kraft
Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Immunocompromised Children
Boston Nonprofit Aims to Transform Lives with Beach House
Boston Hosts Inaugural OUTLOUD Music Festival
Aaron Parsons Sentenced for Manslaughter in Boston Case
Chelsea Community Protests Detainment of Asylum Seekers
Protest in Boston Demands Release of Immigrant Rights Leader
Massachusetts Concludes Largest ICE Operation to Date
Additional Resources
- Boston.com
- Wikipedia: Sanctuary City
- NBC Boston
- Google Search: Sanctuary Cities
- MassLive
- Google Scholar: Sanctuary Jurisdictions
- The Center Square
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Law
- Boston Globe
- Google News: Immigration Sanctuary Policies
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
