Leaders of Sanctuary Jurisdictions Respond to DOJ Letters on Immigration Policies

Leaders from Democrat-led states pushed back after the DOJ warned state and local officials of possible criminal liability over sanctuary policies.

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference, accompanied by members of the Texas Democratic legislators, at the governor’s mansion in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 8, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Governors and mayors in several sanctuary jurisdictions pushed back this week against demand letters from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi warning of legal action and possible criminal charges for state and local officials who limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Bondi’s Aug. 13 letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom said, “For too long, so-called sanctuary jurisdiction policies have undermined this necessary cooperation and obstructed federal immigration enforcement, giving aliens cover to perpetrate crimes in our communities and evade the immigration consequences that federal law requires.”