(SAN FRANCISCO) The U.S. Department of Justice has officially listed San Francisco as a city that violates federal immigration laws, following an updated list released on August 6, 2025. This move comes under Executive Order 14287, signed by President Trump in April 2025, which targets so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The order aims to withhold federal funds from cities that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. San Francisco’s leaders, however, say they are not worried and remain committed to their sanctuary policies.
San Francisco’s Sanctuary City Ordinance, first passed in 1989 and last updated in 2016, is at the center of this dispute. The ordinance stops city employees from using city resources to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with civil immigration enforcement, unless required by law. The city also adopted the “Due Process for All” Ordinance in 2013, which limits how much local officials can cooperate with ICE detainer requests and restricts giving ICE advance notice when someone is released from jail.
Why San Francisco Is on the DOJ List
The Department of Justice says San Francisco’s sanctuary policies break federal immigration laws because they prevent local officials from helping ICE. The DOJ’s updated list also includes other cities like Philadelphia, Portland, Rochester, and Seattle. According to the DOJ, these cities’ policies make it harder for federal authorities to find and remove people who are in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status.
San Francisco’s leaders disagree. City Attorney David Chiu called the federal government’s actions “illegal and authoritarian.” He said, “San Francisco will not back down. Our sanctuary policies make our city safer and more welcoming for everyone.” Chiu also pointed out that federal courts have repeatedly said sanctuary laws are allowed under the Constitution.
Legal Challenges and City Response
San Francisco is not alone in fighting the federal government’s actions. In February 2025, the city joined a lawsuit with 16 other cities and counties across the country. This lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration’s efforts to force sanctuary cities to help with immigration enforcement by threatening to take away federal money or even prosecute local officials. The coalition includes major California cities like San José, San Diego, Oakland, and Sacramento, as well as counties such as Santa Clara and Monterey. Cities from other states, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Santa Fe, and Seattle, are also part of the lawsuit.
At a congressional hearing in March 2025, mayors from Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York defended sanctuary policies. They argued that these policies help keep communities safe by building trust between police and immigrant residents. They also rejected claims that sanctuary cities lead to more crime, saying there is no evidence to support this idea.
How Sanctuary Policies Work in San Francisco
San Francisco’s Sanctuary City Ordinance and related laws mean that local police and city workers do not help ICE with civil immigration enforcement, except when required by federal or state law. This includes:
- 🚫 Not using city funds or resources to help ICE find or arrest people for civil immigration violations
- 🚫 Not honoring ICE detainer requests unless there is a court order or the person has been convicted of certain serious crimes
- 🚫 Not giving ICE advance notice when someone is being released from jail, except in limited cases
These policies are designed to make sure that all residents, no matter their immigration status, feel safe reporting crimes or asking for help from city agencies. Supporters say this helps police solve crimes and keeps neighborhoods safer.
Impact on Immigrant Communities
For many immigrants in San Francisco, the city’s sanctuary policies provide a sense of safety and belonging. Local advocates argue that when immigrants trust the police, they are more likely to report crimes, serve as witnesses, and take part in community life. The city continues to offer services and benefits to all residents, regardless of immigration status, except where federal or state law says otherwise.
The San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission (IRC) plays a key role in supporting these policies. The IRC works to strengthen sanctuary laws, promote immigrant inclusion in city life, and protect the rights of immigrants. For example, the city allows noncitizens to vote in school board elections, a move aimed at giving immigrant families a voice in local education.
Federal Funding Threats and Legal Uncertainty
The Department of Justice’s decision to list San Francisco as a sanctuary jurisdiction could lead to attempts to withhold certain federal funds from the city. However, San Francisco is actively fighting these efforts in court. City Attorney David Chiu and other local leaders argue that the federal government cannot force cities to enforce immigration laws or punish them for refusing to do so.
Legal experts say the outcome of these court battles could affect not just San Francisco, but cities and counties across the United States 🇺🇸. If the courts side with the federal government, cities could lose millions of dollars in funding for things like public safety, health care, and housing. If the courts side with the cities, local governments will have more freedom to set their own policies on immigration enforcement.
Broader National Debate
The fight over sanctuary policies is part of a larger national debate about immigration and the role of local governments. Supporters of sanctuary cities say these policies protect immigrants from unfair treatment and make communities safer for everyone. Critics argue that sanctuary policies let people who break immigration laws avoid consequences and put public safety at risk.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the legal and political battles over sanctuary cities are likely to continue for years. The outcome will shape how cities like San Francisco balance local control with federal immigration enforcement.
What Residents and Immigrants Should Know
- 📋 San Francisco’s sanctuary policies remain in effect as of August 2025, despite the DOJ’s listing.
- 📋 City services are still available to all residents, regardless of immigration status, except where federal or state law requires otherwise.
- 📋 Legal challenges are ongoing, and the city is working with other jurisdictions to protect local autonomy.
- 📋 Immigrants should not fear seeking help from city agencies or reporting crimes, as local police do not generally cooperate with ICE on civil immigration matters.
Where to Find More Information
For official updates on San Francisco’s sanctuary policies and legal actions, residents can visit the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Department of Justice also publishes the latest information and lists of sanctuary jurisdictions under Executive Order 14287 on its official website.
Looking Ahead
San Francisco’s leaders say they will keep fighting to protect their Sanctuary City Ordinance and the rights of all residents. As legal battles continue, the city’s stance remains clear: it will not help enforce federal immigration laws unless required by law. For immigrants and their families, this means San Francisco will continue to be a place of support and inclusion, even as the national debate over sanctuary cities continues.
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