‘Pure madness’: Conservative watchdog alerts ‘sanctuary’ officials to Trump’s deportation efforts

FIRST ON FOX: A conservative rights group is publicizing “sanctuary” jurisdictions across the U.S. ahead of an expected mass deportation by the new Trump administration.

America First Legal says it has informed nearly 250 officials in jurisdictions that restrict or prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that interfering with the government or concealing illegal immigrants carries legal consequences could.

President-elect Trump has promised to launch a “historic” deportation campaign after his term in office, and his transition team has already taken concrete steps toward that goal. America First Legal’s president is Stephen Miller, who will serve as deputy chief of staff for policy in the Trump White House.

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President-elect Donald Trump speaks at AmericaFest on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

But a number of Democratic officials in states including Arizona, Colorado, California and Massachusetts have said they will not cooperate with the operation. Trump’s border czar Tom Homan has suggested there could be legal consequences for those who stand in the way of the operation.

Proponents of sanctuary policies argue that local jurisdictions cannot be forced to support the government and that cutting off ICE cooperation encourages otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants to cooperate with police and report crimes, making the area safer. Opponents say the policy results in otherwise deportable criminals being put back on the streets.

The AFL’s notice letter to the 249 officials states that the federal government has ultimate authority over immigration and points to clauses in federal law that prohibit state and local governments from restricting communications with DHS about immigration status, and which make concealing, harboring or shielding illegal immigration a federal crime.

The group argues that protective measures can therefore lead to criminal liability and that victims of illegal immigration crime may be able to seek compensation.

“We have determined that your jurisdiction is a sanctuary jurisdiction in violation of federal law. Such lawlessness places you and your subordinates at significant risk of criminal and civil liability. Accordingly, we are sending you this letter to alert you to this risk and insist that you abide by the laws of our nation,” the letter reads.

The group is also launching a new website that will provide users with a map of “sanctuary strongholds,” identify jurisdictions with sanctuary policies and provide contact information for elected officials.

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The group also announced that it has submitted a petition to the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women to obtain data on the citizenship status and information on the nationality of individuals accused of a range of crimes against women and children, including domestic violence, murder and child abuse. In addition, she is making requests to officials, including mayors and governors across the U.S., for information about organizations that she believes are undermining federal immigration enforcement.

In a statement, Reed D. Rubenstein, senior vice president of America First Legal, referred to the recent arrest of an illegal immigrant in New York City in connection with the death of a woman who was set on fire and burned as “another reminder that remains open remains”. Borders and refuge areas are pure madness.”

“The left-wing politicians who create and lead them, and those who support them, endanger our citizens, undermine our Constitution, and dangerously undermine the rule of law. America First Legal will continue to work tirelessly to protect our immigration laws and support.” “The brave men and women who enforce them are just a first step in our fight against lawlessness in the sanctuary,” Rubenstein said.

The new announcements highlight a potentially bitter battle between the Trump administration and its allies, as well as Democrats and left-wing activists, over the deportation push and the extent to which it can be resisted at the state and local levels.

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Some have doubled down on their opposition, with the Boston City Council recently voting to limit ICE cooperation and ban police from holding migrants for possible deportation unless there is a criminal warrant.

The resolution adopted by the council states: “Proposals for mass deportations represent a direct attack on immigrant families in Boston and threaten to tear communities apart.”

However, some Democratic officials have signaled their willingness to work with the new administration. Homan met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams last week to discuss areas of possible cooperation, including deporting violent illegal immigrants. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also said he wanted to deport “undocumented violent felons convicted of violent crimes” and said he would welcome a meeting with Homan.

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Fox News reported this month on new data submitted to Congress that showed this was the case 1.4 million non-citizens who have a deportation order but are not currently in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.