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2.0

DOJ "Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives" § III requires enforcement against jurisdictions that facilitate violations of federal immigration laws

  1. Original Date Announced

    February 5, 2025

    Section III of AG Bondi's "Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives" memorandum directs Department of Justice (DOJ) officials to investigate incidents in which State and local actors "impede, obstruct, or otherwise fail to comply with lawful immigration-related directives pursuant to the President's Article II authority to ensure national security, the Immigration and Nationality Act, or other authorities." DOJ is then instructed to bring prosecutions for, for instance, failure to comply with 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 8 U.S.C. §§ 1324 and 1373; declination decisions (i.e., decisions not to prosecute) must be treated as Urgent Reports pursuant to Justice Manual § 1-13.130.

    DOJ's Civil Division is also instructed to coordinate with the Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group to identify "state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal immigration laws or impede lawful federal immigration operations," and "where appropriate . . . take legal action to challenge such laws, policies, or practices."

    Trump 2.0 [ID# 1531]

    2025.02.05 AG Memo on "Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives"

  2. Effective Date

    February 5, 2025

  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • February 6, 2025

      2025.02.06 USA v. Illinois et al., No. 1-25-cv-01285 (N.D. Ill. E.D.) - Complaint

      The United States filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois and others, including the city and mayor of Chicago, arguing that their sanctuary laws/policies obstruct and unlawfully impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws. US v. Illinois, No. 1-25-cv-01285 (N.D. Ill.).

      **Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**

      View Document
    • February 12, 2025

      2024.02.12 United States v. New York (N.D.N.Y.) - Complaint

      The Department of Justice (DOJ) files a suit against New York State as part of its crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions. The lawsuit challenges the legality of New York's "Green Light Law," which, according to the complaint, "bars the sharing of New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) records or information . . . with federal immigration agencies." United States v. State of New York, 25-cv-00205 (N.D.N.Y.).

      *See litigation note above*

      View Document
    • April 11, 2025

      2025.04.11 Reported: New Jersey AUSA investigates Governor and AG over noncooperation policy - NYT

      ​The New York Times reports that Alina Habba, interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, is investigating New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin over their statewide Immigrant Trust Directive, which took effect in 2019 and limits the types of voluntary assistance the police, prosecutors, and correction officers may provide federal immigration authorities. Habba warned during an interview that anyone who "gets 'in the way'" of federal deportation efforts could face charges of obstruction and concealment.

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    • April 25, 2025

      2025.04.25 Reported: US charges Milwaukee judge with obstructing immigration arrest in Trump crackdown - Reuters

      Federal officials arrested Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County circuit court for "obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest." In the criminal complaint, DOJ alleges Judge Dugan "hindered the immigration agents who showed up to arrest" a man appearing in her courtroom by allowing the man "to exit through a jury door." Judge Dugan allegedly confronted the immigration agents at the court, telling them "they needed a judicial warrant to arrest someone inside the courthouse." The man was later arrested by the agents outside.

      View Document

Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Subject Matter: Enforcement Interior
Agencies Affected: DOJ

Documents

Trump-Era Policy Documents

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