A visual representation of communities labeled as sanctuary jurisdictions in the ongoing immigration debate.
The Department of Homeland Security has classified over 500 local governments, including major cities in New England, as ‘lawless’ sanctuary jurisdictions for not complying with federal immigration laws. Secretary Kristi Noem stated these areas are ‘on notice’ regarding potential violations. Local authorities face pressure to revise their policies to avoid losing federal grants. This stance follows an executive order from President Trump and highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local governance, as several cities push back against such classifications.
Boston – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially identified over 500 local governments across the United States, including Boston, Cambridge, Providence, and Portland, Maine, as “lawless” sanctuary jurisdictions. These areas are accused of not complying with federal immigration laws, raising concerns about their collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. This classification was detailed in a recent report by the DHS, which emphasizes the need for these jurisdictions to align their immigration policies with federal standards.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem remarked that these sanctuary jurisdictions are “on notice” regarding their non-compliance. As part of the announcement, a detailed list of localities across 36 states was shared, highlighting that all six New England states are included. Specifically, in Massachusetts, only Hampden County is noted as compliant, with 13 out of 14 counties listed as noncompliant. Noteworthy Massachusetts cities on the DHS list include Chelsea, Lawrence, Northampton, and Somerville.
Other New England communities identified are Hanover and Lebanon in New Hampshire, and Burlington in Vermont. Each jurisdiction on the list will receive formal notification about their potential violations of federal criminal law, which is designed to prompt reviews and revisions of their policies concerning immigration enforcement.
Secretary Noem’s statements drew attention to the contention that these sanctuary jurisdictions “harbor criminal illegal aliens,” thereby posing risks to public safety. Local authorities are now under pressure to adjust their immigration policies to prevent the suspension of federal grants. This directive follows an executive order signed by President Trump on April 28, which provided the DHS and the U.S. Attorney General with the authority to identify non-compliant jurisdictions, which may lead to future evaluations and updates to the list.
Sanctuary jurisdictions do not have a specific legal definition but generally refer to communities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement authorities. The identification of these jurisdictions is met with significant pushback from local officials. Cities like Baltimore and Las Vegas have defended their local immigration policies, arguing that such measures create safer communities by fostering trust between residents and law enforcement.
In an illustration of the ongoing tensions, the Boston City Council recently passed a symbolic resolution declaring the city a sanctuary for members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community amidst increasing anti-trans rhetoric. This resolution aims to protect transgender and gender-diverse individuals, requesting that city agencies refrain from complying with federal actions that might threaten these rights. Only one city councilor opposed this sanctuary resolution, raising concerns over its potential effects on municipal services.
Similar sanctuary policy measures have also been embraced by other Massachusetts cities including Worcester and Cambridge in response to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu affirmed the city’s position by stating that immigration status is not a topic of inquiry in public interactions, reinforcing an atmosphere of safety for all residents.
In light of the DHS findings, cities such as Baltimore are contemplating legal actions against the federal government in response to being placed on the list. This highlights the confrontational relationship between local governments advocating for immigrant protection and the Trump administration’s stricter immigration enforcement agenda.
The continuing conflicts over immigration policies reflect broader national debates regarding the balance between federal authority and local governance, as well as the protective measures some jurisdictions believe are necessary to uphold community safety and inclusivity.
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