Boston’s administration is under significant pressure as the deadline to respond to the U.S. Department of Justice’s crackdown on immigration approaches rapidly.
Last week, the DOJ dispatched letters to Boston and numerous other sanctuary cities, demanding a compliance plan by Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Mayor Michelle Wu, along with 32 other mayors and governors nationwide, received the letter outlining the federal government’s concerns about local policies that obstruct immigration enforcement.
The Department of Justice has warned that failure to comply could result in the withdrawal of federal funding and potential civil lawsuits.
In a stern message to city leaders, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “You are hereby notified that your jurisdiction has been identified as one that engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States.
This ends now. By Tuesday, August 19, 2025, please submit a response to this letter that confirms your commitment to complying with federal law and identifies the immediate initiatives you are taking to eliminate laws, policies, and practices that impede federal immigration enforcement.”
Furthermore, Bondi elaborated during a Fox News interview, emphasizing the necessity for mayors and governors to outline their compliance with federal policies.
The national spotlight is now on Boston as Mayor Wu continues to finalize the city’s response.
At a media event on Monday, she reaffirmed Boston’s identity as a welcoming city: “Boston is a home for everyone. We will never back down from who we are and what we stand for.”
Details regarding the city’s response are expected to be shared on Tuesday.
Community voices, such as Osdir Claros, have expressed strong support for Mayor Wu to uphold Boston’s sanctuary city status.
Claros joined a rally outside Boston City Hall, stating, “It really lies in the decision of the mayor. I hope that Michelle Wu makes the right decision. I hope that she keeps this city a sanctuary city.”
A critical legal foundation for Boston’s approach stems from a 2017 ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
According to this decision, police in Massachusetts cannot hold individuals in custody based solely on a civil immigration detainer.
Former Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson, now the head of the New England Chiefs of Police and the director of government affairs with the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police, confirmed this legal interpretation.
“We don’t arrest on civil violations. We only arrest on warrants or, in a criminal case, on probable cause,” he stated, referencing the Lunn vs. Commonwealth case that set this precedent.
Frederickson noted, “The Lunn decision is very clear. We can’t go beyond authorities that are vested in our position. It’s really that simple.”
In tandem with local officials, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has pointed out the implications of this ruling in a guide titled “KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: ICE Enforcement.”
The guide explains, “A civil detainer is a request from ICE to keep a person in custody until ICE agents can arrest them. Similar to an administrative warrant, a civil detainer is issued by ICE—not a judge.
Lunn does not limit state and local law enforcement from acting in accordance with state law to protect public safety; it simply makes clear that federal civil detainers are not themselves legal grounds for detention.”
Mayor Wu responded to Bondi’s letter, emphasizing Boston’s adherence to the law: “Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law.”
She further stressed, “We are going to continue to stand up for the city of Boston.
Boston does not back down to bullies. Boston does not back down in the face of threats.”
Wu has previously voiced her commitment to Boston’s sanctuary city status during congressional testimonies, arguing that limiting local law enforcement’s interaction with federal authorities enhances community trust and safety.
She remarked, “Everyone in our community also has a role to play in keeping each other safe.
We keep each other safe in Boston. We don’t need an authoritarian administration to come in and try to instill fear and intimidate us.”
As the deadline approaches, Wu’s administration prepares a formal response to the DOJ’s demands, anticipating scrutiny from both supporters and critics.
In a press release on Monday afternoon, Wu’s office announced that the mayor plans to join community members and elected officials at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in City Hall Plaza.
This gathering aims to address the DOJ’s letter while highlighting the partnerships and investments that contribute to Boston’s standing as one of the safest major cities in America.
image source from：nbcboston
