IMLA Host is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88116827759 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear IMLA Immigration, City Attorneys, and County Attorneys Groups- We previously notified you of the Administration’s August 5, 2025 revised list of “sanctuary” jurisdictions—and repeat that information at the end of this note. More recent is the DOJ letter to the identified sanctuary jurisdictions--- we have just received a copy and attach it above. We will hold a call on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 3PM Eastern to discuss the DOJ Letter. DOJ LETTER REQUIRING RESPONSE: On August 13, 2025, Pam Bondi issued a letter, (attached above), to the listed jurisdictions. It begins with EO 14,287 as the basis for action by Homeland Security, the DOJ, and agencies, and requests responses by Tuesday, August 19, 2025 confirming the jurisdiction’s “commitment to complying with federal law” and identifying “immediate initiatives” the jurisdiction is taking “to eliminate laws, policies, and practices that impede federal immigration enforcement.” I’ve excerpted some of the salient language: [T]he President directed federal agencies to identify and evaluate their statutory authority to issue grants, contracts, and federal funds, to determine where immigration-related terms and conditions may be added to combat sanctuary policies that violate federal immigration law. See Executive Order 14,287, Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens, 90 Fed. Reg. 18761 (April 28, 2025). As contemplated by the Executive Order, designation as a sanctuary jurisdiction may result in additional consequences and further agency actions as permitted by law. . . Individuals operating under the color of law, using their official position to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts and facilitating or inducing illegal immigration may be subject to criminal charges . . . State and local entities, particularly those with policies in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1373 and § 1644, may also be subject to civil liability. . . 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. CRITERIA: The original DOJ list of “sanctuary” jurisdictions (link attached) had identified the following as indicative of “sanctuary” status: Office of the Attorney General | U.S. Sanctuary Jurisdiction List Following Executive Order 14287: Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens<https://www.justice.gov/ag/us-sanctuary-jurisdiction-list-following-executive-order-14287-protecting-american-communities?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> Sanctuary Jurisdiction characteristics include: 1. Public Declarations: Cities, states, or counties that publicly declare themselves a sanctuary jurisdiction or equivalent, with the intent to undermine federal immigration enforcement. 2. Laws, Ordinances, Executive Directives: Cities, states, or counties that have laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies, or other formalized practices that obstruct or limit local law enforcement cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 3. Restrictions on Information Sharing: Cities, states, or counties that limit whether and how local agencies share information about immigration status of detainees with federal authorities. 4. Funding Restrictions: Cities, states, or counties that prohibit local funds or resources from being used to support federal immigration enforcement efforts. 5. Non-cooperation with Federal Immigration Enforcement: Cities, states, or counties that provide training to city employees and police on enforcing sanctuary policies and declining to respond to ICE requests for information. 6. Limits on ICE Detainers: Cities, states, or counties that refuse to honor ICE detainer requests unless there is a warrant signed by a judge. 7. Jail Access Restrictions: Cities, states, or counties that restrict ICE agents’ ability to interview detainees absent detainee consent. 8. Immigrant Community Affairs Offices: Cities, states, or counties that create dedicated offices to engage and advise illegal alien communities on evading federal law enforcement officers. 9. Federal Benefit Programs: Cities, states, or counties that circumvent federal laws prohibiting the provision of federal benefits to illegal aliens and provide them with access to benefits, including health care assistance, legal aid, food and housing assistance, and other subsidies. This includes cities, states, or counties that establish stand-alone benefit programs or equivalents. UPDATED LIST: On August 5, 2025, the DOJ issued its updated list of “sanctuary” jurisdictions. That announcement is attached above. The jurisdictions listed were: STATES: * California * Colorado * Connecticut * Delaware * District of Columbia * Illinois * Minnesota * Nevada * New York * Oregon * Rhode Island * Vermont * Washington COUNTIES: * Baltimore County, MD * Cook County, IL * San Diego County, CA * San Francisco County, CA CITIES: * Albuquerque, NM * Berkeley, CA * Boston, MA * Chicago, IL * Denver, CO * East Lansing, MI * Hoboken, NJ * Jersey City, NJ * Los Angeles, CA * New Orleans, LA * New York City, NY * Newark, NJ * Paterson, NJ * Philadelphia, PA * Portland, OR * Rochester, NY * Seattle, WA * San Francisco City, CA