(The Center Square) –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Illinois has the greatest number of counties listed of any state of 96, just a few shy of its 102 counties. All but one of Massachusetts’ 14 counties are listed. Washington is not far behind with 36 out of its 39 counties listed.
Fifteen states aren’t on the list, nearly all are run by Republicans: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
This is the first time DHS has published a sanctuary jurisdiction list. The list was published in accordance with an executive order President Donald Trump issued last month, “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens,” The Center Square reported.
In it, Trump directs the attorney general and Homeland Security secretary to identify sanctuary jurisdictions that defy or obstruct federal immigration enforcement and are engaging in “a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government’s obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States.”
“The prior administration allowed unchecked millions of aliens to illegally enter the United States,” the order states, which created “public safety and national security risks,” exacerbated by cartel, transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations operating in the U.S. “who intend to harm … the American people.”
Because Trump declared the U.S. was under invasion, he said the federal government must “take measures to fulfill its obligation to the States.” He’s referring to the “Guarantee Clause,” (Article IV, Section 4) of the Constitution, which states the federal government “shall protect each state against invasion.” Fifty-five Texas counties cited it when they were the only ones in America that declared an invasion during the Biden Administration, The Center Square exclusively reported.
Because some state and local officials continue “to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws,” committing “lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government’s obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States,” the president said he is taking action.
Trump’s order also says these jurisdictions are creating national security risks, violating federal criminal laws, including obstructing justice, “unlawfully harboring or hiring illegal aliens,” conspiring against the U.S., potentially violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, among others.
“Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril,” DHS said. Each jurisdiction is being notified of non-compliance, instructed to comply, or face legal action and withholding of federal funds.
The initial list includes the District of Columbia and 35 states:
Alaska: AnchorageCalifornia: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 48 of its 58 counties; 63 citiesColorado: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 41 of its 64 counties; 14 citiesConnecticut: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 6 citiesDelaware: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; New Castle County; Camden and NewarkGeorgia: four counties, Athens and AtlantaHawaii: HonoluluIdaho: BoiseIllinois: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 96 of its 102 counties; 7 citiesIndiana: Monroe CountyKansas: Lawrence County, Douglas CountyKentucky: four counties, LouisvilleLouisiana: New Orleans/Orleans ParishMaine: two counties, PortlandMaryland: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 8 counties; 10 cities, including Annapolis, where the U.S. Naval Academy is basedMassachusetts self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 13 counties; 12 cities. The list is missing Natick, whose officials voted for sanctuary status after an Iranian national was arrested there for his alleged ties to a terrorist attack that killed three U.S. service members, The Center Square reported.Michigan; six counties; Ann Arbor and East LansingMinnesota: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 20 counties; Minneapolis and St. PaulNebraska: 10 countiesNevada: Las Vegas CityNew Hampshire: Hanover, LebanonNew Jersey: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; three counties; 18 citiesNew Mexico: 23 out of 33 counties; Albuquerque and Santa FeNew York: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 15 counties; 12 citiesNorth Carolina: five countiesNorth Dakota: seven countiesOhio: three counties; Cincinnati and ColumbusOregon: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 15 counties; four citiesPennsylvania: 11 counties; five citiesRhode Island: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; Central Falls and ProvidenceTennessee: Shelby County and Nashville, whose mayor is being investigated by Congress, The Center Square reported.Vermont: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; Burlington, Montpelier and WinooskiVirginia: 20 counties; 13 cities, including the state’s capital of RichmondWashington: self-identifies as a sanctuary state; 36 of 39 counties and five citiesWisconsin: two counties; Madison and Milwaukee
While Texas is not on the list, some county commissioners and some in law enforcement have expressed opposition to working with federal immigration authorities in Democratic strongholds, including in Houston and Harris County, The Center Square reported. The Office of the Texas Attorney General also provides millions of dollars in grants to nonprofits providing legal assistance to illegal foreign nationals fighting deportation through a legal defense fund. The Texas legislature allocates the funds as part of the AOG’s budget request.
