In a bold move as part of its nationwide effort against sanctuary city policies, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Boston.
Named in the lawsuit are Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, the city itself, and key local officials, including Police Commissioner Michael Cox.
The contention centers on the Boston Trust Act, enacted in 2014, which restricts local enforcement from complying with federal immigration detainer requests, except in instances involving public safety or serious offenses.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) claims this law infringes on the supremacy clause of the Constitution, positing that it obstructs federal authority regarding immigration matters.
In a detailed 17-page complaint, the DOJ contends that Boston has released non-citizens convicted of violent crimes, including offenses such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, and theft, rather than detaining them for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the city, claiming, “The City of Boston and its Mayor have been among the worst sanctuary offenders in America: they explicitly enforce policies designed to undermine law enforcement and protect illegal aliens from justice.”
Bondi further asserted that if Boston refuses to protect its citizens from the crimes associated with undocumented immigrants, the DOJ will take action.
Federal officials highlighted a trend, noting that before 2015, the Boston Justice Department routinely complied with ICE detainer requests.
However, they argue that recent years have witnessed Boston adopting “obstructionist” practices by declining cooperation with federal authorities.
Moreover, the Justice Department issued warnings to Boston and similar jurisdictions, indicating that non-compliance with immigration enforcement could result in the loss of federal funding.
In response, Mayor Michelle Wu dismissed the lawsuit as unconstitutional.
She stated, “This is our city, and we will vigorously defend our laws and the constitutional rights of cities which have been repeatedly upheld in courts across the country.”
Wu asserted her commitment to not backing down, describing Boston as the “economic and cultural hub of New England and the safest major city in the country” and accused the Trump administration of politically motivated attacks on her city.
Boston’s legal battle is not a standalone incident; it is part of a wider conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic-led cities over immigration policies.
The administration has used immigration as a critical part of its public safety narrative, linking undocumented immigrants to increased crime without substantial evidence.
In contrast, leaders like Wu maintain that policies designed to protect immigrant communities enhance public safety, allowing these individuals to cooperate with law enforcement without fear of deportation.
The Boston City Council reaffirmed the Trust Act through a resolution in December 2024, with Mayor Wu repeatedly emphasizing that Boston will not yield in the face of this lawsuit.
The Trump administration’s legal assault on sanctuary cities is not a new strategy.
Previously, lawsuits targeting cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, New York City, Rochester, and various municipalities in New Jersey have been filed, aiming to overturn similar policies restricting local cooperation with ICE.
The outcomes of these lawsuits have varied; certain cases have been dismissed while others continue to be underway.
Notably, a decisive ruling came from a federal judge who dismissed the lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago, highlighting that the state’s sanctuary laws were protected by the Tenth Amendment.
This judge ruled that the federal government cannot compel states to enforce federal immigration laws, dealing a significant blow to the administration’s strategy.
In addition to the lawsuits, the Trump administration has also sought to threaten sanctuary cities with the withholding of federal funds.
However, a federal judge intervened, blocking the freeze on federal funds for numerous sanctuary cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, ruling it unconstitutional to withhold funds earmarked for local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
While some municipalities, like Louisville, Kentucky, have adjusted their policies in response to government pressure, others, such as New York City, are contemplating changes to their own laws.
As tensions escalate, the administration prepared to conduct extensive immigration raids in sanctuary cities like Chicago, New York, Portland, Baltimore, and Seattle.
These actions promise to be the most vigorous challenge yet against local jurisdictions limiting collaboration with ICE.
Senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security described this approach will mirror earlier raids in Los Angeles, utilizing tactical teams and armored vehicles.
Tom Homan, designated as the “border czar,” indicated an upcoming “intensification” of the raids particularly in Chicago, where local leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, have spoken out against such tactics.
They argue that such actions generate fear in immigrant communities, undermining established trust in law enforcement.
In a counter to the administration, California Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted high crime rates prevalent in several Republican-run states, asserting that the Trump administration selectively targets Democratic strongholds while ignoring similar or worse conditions elsewhere.
Now, the lawsuit ventures into the federal court system in Massachusetts.
The Justice Department is set to present its case, arguing that Boston’s sanctuary law undermines immigration enforcement efforts.
Defending Boston’s approach, Mayor Wu has committed to leveraging the city’s legal team and national supporters to advocate for the policies in place, framing the ongoing litigation as a crucial fight for local autonomy and immigrant rights.
“This unconstitutional attack on our city is not a surprise,” Wu reaffirmed, emphasizing that Boston will not acquiesce to such pressures.
image source from：english
