The Trump administration has launched an aggressive campaign against sanctuary jurisdictions, deploying both federal prosecutors and civil litigation in what amounts to the most direct confrontation yet with localities that shield illegal immigrants from deportation.

The escalation came in waves over the past two weeks:

First, the Justice Department ordered prosecutors to investigate state and local officials who obstruct immigration enforcement, with acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directing U.S. attorneys to pursue potential criminal charges.

Then, federal lawyers filed a major lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago over sanctuary policies that “intentionally obstruct” immigration enforcement. The case, which marks Attorney General Pam Bondi’s first major action, challenges multiple state and local laws that restrict cooperation with federal authorities.

The stakes became clear in Tompkins County, New York, where officials released a man wanted on federal criminal charges despite an active warrant. The Justice Department said the county’s actions forced federal agents to conduct a dangerous community arrest of someone who had been deported five times previously.

Meanwhile, the administration faces its own legal challenges. Quaker groups sued Homeland Security over its revocation of “sensitive locations” policies that had prevented immigration arrests at churches and schools. The religious groups argue the new policy violates their First Amendment rights.

The developments highlight how sanctuary policies have become a central battleground. During Trump’s first term, numerous jurisdictions adopted such measures as a form of resistance. Now, as he promises “mass deportations,” the battle lines are being redrawn.

Sanctuary jurisdictions vary in approach:

The human impact emerged in the Illinois case, where officials cited an incident of a migrant who was released despite a deportation request and later arrested for alleged sexual assault of a minor.

“That is such crap,” White House border czar Tom Homan said of claims that sanctuary policies protect immigrant communities. “The victims and witnesses of that crime want that bad guy locked up, too.”

Read more:

• Trump’s DOJ announces crackdown on sanctuary cities

• Quakers sue to stop ICE arrests, say churches must be sanctuaries

• New York county ramps up sanctuary battle in defying criminal warrant for ’violent illegal alien’

• DOJ sues Illinois, Chicago over sanctuary policy

This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com

The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.