‘Sanctuary’ policies could lead to criminal charges, AG Bondi warns

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has sent letters to leaders of states and cities identified as having “sanctuary” policies, warning they could face criminal charges for obstructing federal immigration enforcement.

In a letter dated Aug. 13 to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Bondi said such policies undermine cooperation between state, local and federal agencies — cooperation she called “vital to enforce federal law and protect national security.” She wrote that individuals who use their official positions to obstruct immigration enforcement or facilitate unlawful immigration could be prosecuted.

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The letter follows President Donald Trump’s April executive order directing the Department of Justice to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, notify them of potential violations of federal law, and evaluate federal agencies’ authority to restrict grants and contracts tied to immigration compliance. The order, Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens, also calls for additional agency actions against jurisdictions that fail to comply.

In early August, the DOJ released its latest list of sanctuary jurisdictions — 35 cities and states — and vowed to pursue lawsuits against governments that continue policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Since the order was signed, the DOJ has filed several related lawsuits, including one against New York City in July.

Bondi wrote that she has directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to investigate incidents involving potential violations of federal immigration law by state or local governments. “As the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, I am committed to identifying state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal immigration laws or impede lawful federal immigration operations,” she stated.

The letter comes amid ongoing disputes between the Trump administration and officials in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Denver, whose leaders have defended their policies in congressional hearings and public statements.

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