Trump signs executive order highlighting sanctuary cities fighting immigration enforcement
Trump's executive orders will total more than 140 during his first 100 days in office, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt said was more than the Biden administration had in four years.
- One Trump order will 'unleash' law enforcement, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed two executive orders to bolster immigration enforcement and threaten jurisdictions that restrict cooperation with federal law enforcement with the loss of federal funding.
The orders collectively seek to bolster state and local law enforcement with better pay, cast-off military equipment and free legal support while also punishing so-called "sanctuary" states and cities with criminal investigations and the threatened loss of funding.
The signings April 28 come on the 99th day of Trump’s second term in office. His Republican administration is promoting tougher border enforcement as one of his central priorities, with what border czar Tom Homan called "historic low" border crossings.
“It’s quite simple: obey the law, respect the law and don’t obstruct federal immigration officials and law enforcement officials when they are simply trying to remove public safety threats from the nation’s communities,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a morning White House briefing. “This administration is determined to enforce our immigration laws.”
DOJ, DHS to highlight sanctuary cities: Leavitt
The first order aims to “strengthen and unleash America’s law enforcement to pursue and protect innocent citizens,” Leavitt said.
The order aims to increase the supply of excess military and national-security resources to state and local law enforcement. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to provide legal resources for law enforcement officers who incur expenses from official duties, such as through free legal assistance from private lawyers.
The order also calls for an increase in pay and benefits for law enforcement officers, enhanced sentences for crimes against officers and greater investment in the size and security of prisons.
“Safe communities rely on the backbone and heroism of a tough and well-equipped police force,” Trump’s order said. “My Administration is steadfastly committed to empowering State and local law enforcement to firmly police dangerous criminal behavior and protect innocent citizens.”
The second order calls on Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to publish a list of the communities nicknamed “sanctuary” jurisdictions that Leavitt said “obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws.”
Trump’s order calls for the government to withhold federal funding from them. The order also calls on Bondi and Noem to target the jurisdictions with potential criminal investigations. The alleged violations include obstruction of justice, unlawfully harboring or hiring illegal aliens, conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to impede federal law enforcement, according to the order.
“Yet some State and local officials nevertheless continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws,” the order said. “This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government's obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States.”
Homan to visit Rochester to support local police
Homan said he would visit Rochester, New York, on April 29 to support local law enforcement officers after several were disciplined for aiding a Homeland Security official who called for emergency assistance.
"Cops need to help cops, especially in an emergency situation. But they got disciplined," Homan said. “I’m going up there to support the men and women of law enforcement."
Focus on sanctuary cities arrives amid court battles
The administration’s conflict with sanctuary cities and states is being fought in court. Leavitt's announcement came after FBI agents arrested a local Wisconsin judge on April 18 for allegedly interfering with federal authorities trying to arrest an immigrant who didn’t have legal authorization to be in the country.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was charged with alleged interference with a federal law enforcement operation and unlawful concealment of an individual subject to arrest.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and others were trying to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican citizen previously removed from the U.S. and recently charged with multiple counts of domestic abuse-related battery. Dugan allegedly directed the federal authorities away from Flores-Ruiz after he appeared in her court.
Dugan had an initial appearance in court April 25 to be advised of her rights and her arraignment is scheduled May 15. Trump blasted the judge on April 27 as “terrible.”
Lawsuits challenge validity of sanctuary cities
A group of 16 cities and counties filed a lawsuit against Trump’s policy withholding federal funding from so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco blocked the policy on April 24 by ruling the government was unlawfully trying to force cooperation from jurisdictions such as Minneapolis, Portland, Santa Fe and Seattle.
The Trump administration isn’t always the defendant. Bondi sued Illinois, Chicago and Cook County alleging they “obstruct” federal authorities from enforcing immigration laws.
Bondi also sued New York state and its Department of Motor Vehicles for a “green-light” law that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
“The American public doesn’t want illegal criminal aliens in their communities,” Leavitt said. “They made that quite clear on Nov. 5.”