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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

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