DOJ Sues Boston, Mayor Wu, Police Commissioner Over Sanctuary Policies

The Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, and the Boston Police Department, alleging that the city's sanctuary city policies, specifically the Boston Trust Act, violate federal law by obstructing immigration enforcement. The lawsuit claims that the Trust Act prevents local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, which has led to criminals being released who should have been held for immigration removal, thereby endangering public safety. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Boston as one of the worst sanctuary offenders in the nation, accusing the city of explicitly enforcing policies that undermine law enforcement and protect illegal immigrants from justice. Mayor Wu has maintained Boston's commitment to sanctuary policies, stating in correspondence with the Attorney General that "Boston will never back down" from being a sanctuary city and a welcoming home for all. The DOJ contends that these policies conflict with the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and federal immigration laws, especially amid a declared national emergency at the southern border. Boston officials have not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit, but Mayor Wu previously testified that the city’s approach contributes to Boston being one of the safest major cities in America.