The Trump administration is intensifying its campaign against sanctuary cities, accusing them of shielding undocumented migrants with criminal histories.
Border Czar Tom Homan joined The Faulkner Focus on Wednesday, declaring these jurisdictions were officially “on notice.”
“Promises made, promises kept,” Homan said. “President Trump promised he’d take the sanctuary cities on, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi is also taking aim at sanctuary cities. The Justice Department has released a list of jurisdictions it says are obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
The list names major cities including New York, Boston, and Chicago, along with states like California, Colorado, and Minnesota. Most of the listed areas have embraced left-leaning policies.
“I thank God Pam Bondi stepped on this right away,” Homan said. “We’re putting them on notice.”
According to the Justice Department, the jurisdictions were assessed based on their laws, executive directives, and local ordinances. Immigration officials argue that some measures are designed to “impede enforcement of federal immigration statutes and regulations.”
“When a public safety threat, illegal alien [is] in your jail, work with us, give us access to the jail,” Homan urged. “Let us arrest the public safety threat in the safety and security of a jail, which is safer for everybody.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed those concerns during an appearance on Fox & Friends, saying sanctuary city policies make it harder and more dangerous for her officers to do their jobs.
“We have extensive experience in these cities and states,” Noem said. “It’s difficult for our officers to operate every day when they don’t have the backup of local law enforcement.”
Many Democratic city leaders remain opposed to cooperating with ICE. Last month, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his city “will not ever cooperate with ICE,” calling the administration’s approach divisive.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has also criticized ICE, particularly over agents wearing face coverings during operations — a comment that drew swift pushback from Homeland Security on X.
Separately, 12 Democratic members of Congress have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming it’s limiting access to federal immigration detention centers. The suit follows a new Department of Homeland Security policy requiring a week’s notice for visits and restricting certain areas.
Homan has rejected claims that ICE primarily targets non-criminal migrants, insisting most arrests involve “criminal aliens.” In July, Homeland Security highlighted crimes committed by migrants in custody, including predatory sexual assault of a child and meth trafficking.
Homan said the administration has already taken legal action against sanctuary cities opposing ICE’s agenda and will continue holding them accountable.
