(UNITED STATES) The Justice Department has released a new list of 35 “sanctuary” jurisdictions, promising more immigration lawsuits and stronger action against states, counties, and cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. On August 5, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the list, which includes 12 states, 4 counties, and 19 cities, as part of the Trump administration’s push to pressure local governments to change their sanctuary policies.
The Justice Department says these jurisdictions “impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design.” The department plans to keep updating the list and to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to challenge these policies in court. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this move marks a major escalation in the federal government’s efforts to force local governments to cooperate with immigration authorities.
Who Is on the List?
The 2025 list names the following:
- States (12): California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington
- Counties (4): Baltimore County (Maryland), Cook County (Illinois), San Diego County (California), San Francisco County (California)
- Cities (19): Albuquerque (New Mexico), Berkeley (California), Boston (Massachusetts), Chicago (Illinois), Denver (Colorado), East Lansing (Michigan), Hoboken (New Jersey), Jersey City (New Jersey), Los Angeles (California), New Orleans (Louisiana), New York City (New York), Newark (New Jersey), Paterson (New Jersey), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Portland (Oregon), Rochester (New York), Seattle (Washington), San Francisco (California), Washington, D.C.
The Justice Department says this list is not final and will be updated as more information comes in.
Why Are These Jurisdictions Targeted?
Sanctuary policies usually mean that local police or jails do not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, especially when it comes to ICE detainers. An ICE detainer is a request from federal immigration officials asking local law enforcement to hold someone for up to 48 hours after they would normally be released, so ICE can pick them up for possible deportation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi argues that these policies “put American citizens at risk by design.” The Justice Department claims that by refusing to honor ICE detainers or share information, sanctuary jurisdictions make it harder to enforce immigration laws and remove people who may be in the country without permission.
Recent Immigration Lawsuits and Legal Battles
In the past three months, the Justice Department has filed lawsuits against several jurisdictions on the list, including Los Angeles, New York State, Colorado, Illinois, and Rochester. The Illinois case is the furthest along. A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s claims, saying that the Constitution protects state sovereignty and that the federal government cannot force states to enforce federal immigration law. The Justice Department may appeal or try to change its complaint.
In Louisville, Kentucky, the Justice Department’s pressure led the mayor to change city policy. Louisville now agrees to honor ICE’s 48-hour detainer requests, showing that some cities may change their approach to avoid lawsuits or loss of federal funding.
The Justice Department has also filed a complaint against the U.S. District Court of Maryland for issuing automatic injunctions that block federal immigration enforcement actions.
Legal and Policy Background
The Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government cannot force local governments to enforce federal immigration law. This is called the “anti-commandeering” principle. Sanctuary policies do not stop the federal government from deporting people or prosecuting crimes. Local police still enforce state and local laws.
Research shows that sanctuary policies do not increase crime rates. In fact, some studies suggest that these policies may help make communities safer and more economically successful.
Key Stakeholders and Their Views
- Federal Government: The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump, are pushing for stronger enforcement and more lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions.
- State and Local Governments: Most of the targeted jurisdictions are led by Democratic officials. They argue that sanctuary policies help build trust in the community and protect constitutional rights.
- Courts: So far, federal courts have protected state sovereignty in some cases, like the Illinois lawsuit.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations such as the American Immigration Council say sanctuary policies do not stop the deportation of people with violent convictions and do not threaten public safety.
What Does This Mean for Communities?
The Justice Department’s list is meant to pressure jurisdictions to change their policies or face lawsuits and possible loss of federal funding. The department and the Department of Homeland Security are collecting data from local jails and watching how jurisdictions respond.
Jurisdictions that stay on the list may face:
- Lawsuits from the Justice Department
- Restrictions on federal funding
- Increased scrutiny from federal agencies
Some cities, like Louisville, have already changed their policies in response to federal pressure. Others are fighting the lawsuits in court, arguing that their policies are legal and protect community trust.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The Justice Department says more jurisdictions may be added as investigations continue. Ongoing and future lawsuits could set important legal rules about how much power the federal government has over state and local immigration policy.
This issue is likely to remain a major topic in the 2026 election, with strong opinions on both sides. Supporters of sanctuary policies say they help keep communities safe and protect rights. Opponents argue that these policies make it harder to enforce immigration laws and protect the public.
Expert Opinions and Analysis
Legal experts say the Justice Department’s approach is testing the limits of federal power and state rights. Courts have so far given states a lot of freedom to set their own policies.
Immigration advocates argue that sanctuary policies help people feel safe reporting crimes and working with police, which can make communities safer. The Justice Department, on the other hand, says these policies make it harder to remove people who may be in the country without permission.
Historical Context
Sanctuary policies became much more common after 2016, with hundreds of jurisdictions adopting rules to limit cooperation with ICE. Since returning to office in 2025, President Trump has made rolling back these policies a top priority, leading to the current wave of lawsuits and executive actions.
Practical Guidance for Affected Jurisdictions
Jurisdictions named on the list should:
- Review their current policies with legal counsel
- Stay informed about ongoing lawsuits and federal actions
- Communicate with state attorney general offices for updates and guidance
For more details, including the full list and official press releases, visit the Justice Department’s official website.
As the debate continues, communities, immigrants, and local leaders will need to watch closely for new developments and be ready to respond to changes in federal policy and enforcement.
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