Staff Reports
Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, has certainly been making waves with her latest stand against sanctuary cities, giving them just one week to comply with federal immigration laws. For those not familiar with the term, sanctuary cities are municipalities that have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. And it looks like Bondi is ready to crack down hard. She has promised action from the Justice Department for those who choose to ignore her ultimatum. There’s something almost comical about the boldness of these cities, thinking they can flaunt federal law without consequences.
The former director, on a conservative news channel, seems to think Bondi’s approach will work. He confidently claims that most cities will comply, though not without a fight. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time localities have been encouraged to cooperate with ICE. The 287(g) program, which facilitates cooperation between localities and immigration officials, has already been successful. According to the former director, this program has seen 761 jurisdictions on board. Success at the border can be largely attributed to this cooperation.
But there are serious consequences for those cities that refuse to comply. It’s not just a matter of losing funding or getting a slap on the wrist. We’re talking about criminal investigations for obstruction of justice and even alien harboring. Harboring illegal immigrants is a federal felony, and some sanctuary cities seem to be actively shielding them from ICE. The fallout from such actions could include prosecutions and severe investigations, creating substantial headaches for these localities. It feels almost like watching a train heading towards a broken bridge—those cities better act quickly or face a steep fall.
Some cities, it seems, have been doubling down on their sanctuary policies since the last election. It’s almost as if they’re daring the federal government to take action. The nation’s capital recently had some legal tussles over control of its police force, which had its own implications. Despite that, an agreement was reached, and it’s said the capital’s police will now cooperate with ICE. This move is seen as a win for public safety and resource allocation. After all, who doesn’t want dangerous criminals off the streets?
A broader perspective shows that crime rates, especially in Washington, D.C., have been troubling. During the Biden administration, the city saw some of its highest murder rates in over two decades. The city’s reduced police force, thanks in part to the “defund the police” movement, certainly didn’t help matters. But with new cooperation between local and federal law enforcement, there’s hope that crime will decrease significantly. It’s a testament to the belief that putting more resources into actual law enforcement, rather than political distractions, could really make a difference.
