DHS Lists 298 Counties, 200 Cities as Immigration Sanctuaries Across 14 States

The Department of Homeland Security under President Trump released a contentious list identifying numerous states, counties, and cities as sanctuary jurisdictions allegedly obstructing federal immigration law enforcement, sparking widespread confusion and backlash. In Washington state, counties like Franklin and Yakima grappled with conflicting federal and state laws, with some officials supporting cooperation with federal authorities while immigrant advocates expressed deep concern about community harm and trust in law enforcement. New Mexico saw 23 counties and major cities such as Albuquerque and Santa Fe included on the list, despite local leaders emphasizing policies of welcoming immigrants and questioning the list's accuracy and rationale. Sheriffs in various states, including North Carolina, New Mexico, and Wisconsin, voiced frustration over unclear inclusion criteria, with some communities lacking sanctuary policies being listed, leading to accusations of errors and political motivations. The list was eventually removed from the DHS website but continues to threaten local jurisdictions with potential loss of federal funding, contributing to ongoing uncertainty about immigration enforcement responsibilities across political lines. Overall, the release and aftermath of the list illustrate the deep divisions and legal ambiguities surrounding immigration enforcement between federal and local governments under the Trump administration.