More detention centers and targeting sanctuary jurisdictions: The Trump administration's immigration battle
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against New York City, challenging its sanctuary city status, while Republican states increase their support for federal immigration efforts.
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against New York City, challenging its sanctuary city status, while Republican states increase their support for federal immigration efforts.
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against New York City, challenging its sanctuary city status, while Republican states increase their support for federal immigration efforts.
The Trump administration has filed a over its sanctuary city status, claiming these policies contributed to a recent shooting involving a Customs and Border Protection officer in the state, as Republican states ramp up their support for federal immigration efforts.
President Donald Trump, emphasized the ongoing nature of these legal actions. "That's going to be a pretty routine filing with other cities, too. As you know, we've started numerous lawsuits with other cities. We want to bring safety. We got to get the criminals out and we're doing it in record numbers," Trump said.
The Department of Justice has not yet responded to inquiries about other jurisdictions under investigation. Meanwhile, White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced the deployment of more ICE agents into sanctuary jurisdictions, signaling a new phase in the immigration battle between the federal government and Democratic states.
Earlier this week, against the Trump administration over a requiring states to verify citizenship before providing social services like Head Start and health clinics.
The lawsuit describes the order as "indefensible," stating, "Many programs cannot realistically conduct verification at the door, such as 24/7 crisis hotlines, emergency services for individuals suffering an overdose, and homeless shelters. Even if some programs could implement such verification with time and resources, vulnerable people lack government identification when accessing these services for myriad reasons—some may be undocumented immigrants, but many others are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents. For the first time, millions of people are facing a new demand before they can access the Nation’s most essential programs: 'show me your papers.'"
Meanwhile, in Florida, the commencement of deportation flights from "Alligator Alcatraz," an immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades surrounded by pythons and alligators. The facility's conditions have been criticized by opponents as cruel and inhumane. The White House, however, has praised the facility, hoping it will deter migrants. President Trump expressed a desire to see similar facilities established in other states.
We reached out to several Republican states to see if they were working with the federal government to implement a similar immigrant detention facility in their state.
Carter Chapman, Deputy Press Secretary for stated:
"From maintaining the longest continuous National Guard presence at the U.S. southern border of any state to banning sanctuary cities and directing the Georgia Department of Public Safety to enhance its partnership with ICE, under Governor Kemp's leadership, Georgia has helped lead the way in tackling illegal immigration. Furthermore, one of our private sector partners recently announced an agreement with ICE to convert a Georgia facility into the largest detention facility in the nation — a move that is supported by the governor and will only bolster national efforts to detain criminal illegal immigrants and process them for deportation."
of Mississippi has also expressed commitment to supporting President Trump's immigration policies. Deputy Chief of Staff Cory Custer said:
"Governor Reeves has been clear that Mississippi will do whatever it takes to help support President Trump's immigration agenda. Nothing is off the table."
In South Carolina, Brandon Charochak, a spokesman for said:
"South Carolina's law enforcement and National Guard continue to collaborate and participate with federal officials on illegal immigration enforcement and deportation. Governor McMaster has directed state officials to continue exploring how the Palmetto State's unique assets and resources can be utilized to provide additional and enhanced support in the weeks and months to come."
Sam Subke, Director of Communications for said:
"Governor Sanders is working hand-in-hand with the Trump Administration to deport violent, criminal illegal immigrants, which is why she signed the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act earlier this year to put tough new penalties on illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes while in Arkansas and facilitate greater collaboration between Arkansas law enforcement and federal immigration officials, and is in the process of building a new 3,000-bed prison in the state."
Missouri, however, has not engaged in discussions regarding similar facilities, according to
"To date, there have been no discussions with our office regarding this for the State of Missouri."
The newly passed allocates $29.9 billion for hiring, training, and retaining ICE officers, agents, and support staff, with an additional $4.1 billion for border patrol agents and customs officials. The bill also includes $45 billion for constructing new detention centers, potentially adding 121,000 beds, according to the
More national news from the Washington Bureau can be found below:
