Trump Seeks to End "Sanctuary" States

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons vowed that ICE will "ramp up" raids in sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

This comes as the Trump administration intensifies its legal fight against sanctuary policies, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) suing cities and states for violating the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, which prioritizes federal law over conflicting state laws.

Sanctuary jurisdictions often refuse to detain individuals solely based on immigration status, protecting them from federal authorities seeking their deportation.

_THE FACTS_

• Lyons said ICE has only 5,500 deportation officers nationwide and supports a GOP plan to add 10,000 more.

• ICE has signed 562 agreements with local law enforcement to deputize officers for immigration enforcement — a 316 percent increase over the Biden era.

• President Trump signed an executive order last week targeting sanctuary cities by withholding federal funds for those obstructing immigration law enforcement.

• DOJ alleges that Colorado’s policies enabled the Tren de Aragua gang to seize control of a Denver-area apartment complex, per a new lawsuit.

• The Trump administration is also suing Denver over sanctuary city laws that prevent probation officers from contacting ICE, with a $50,000 fine for attempting to notify immigration authorities.

• A spokesman for Governor Jared Polis (D-CO) asserted that Colorado is not a sanctuary state and that they are fully cooperating with authorities.

• In response to this, Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) told Upward News, “By definition, Colorado is a sanctuary state. Tren de Aragua and fentanyl traffickers have found a safe haven here because of Colorado Democrats.”

• DOJ has also filed lawsuits against sanctuary policies in Illinois, Minnesota, and New York.

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