The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, alleging that its sanctuary policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and violate the U.S. Constitution.
In an exclusive statement to Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “Sanctuary policies were the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles.”
“Jurisdictions like Los Angeles that flout federal law by prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens are undermining law enforcement at every level — that ends under President Trump,” she added.
DOJ Accuses LA of Discriminating Against Federal Agents
The lawsuit, filed Monday, argues that Los Angeles is unlawfully discriminating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by limiting its access to detainees and city facilities — restrictions that do not apply to other law enforcement agencies. The Justice Department says such policies violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which gives federal law priority over conflicting local measures.
“Sanctuary City laws and policies are designed to deliberately impede federal immigration officers’ ability to carry out their responsibilities,” the complaint states. It accuses the city of intentionally restricting ICE’s access, prohibiting contractors from cooperating with federal authorities, and refusing to enforce federal criminal immigration laws.
According to the DOJ, the city’s actions amount to unconstitutional discrimination against the federal government. The administration is asking a federal judge to block enforcement of the policies.
Tensions Escalated After ICE Operations Sparked Riots
The lawsuit follows recent unrest in Los Angeles, where ICE operations earlier this month triggered widespread protests and riots. The situation escalated when President Trump deployed the National Guard — a move that sparked backlash from local officials and civil rights advocates.
Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence but criticized the federal government’s response, saying it provoked the community. “Last Thursday, ICE entered our city and provoked the city by chasing people through Home Depots and car washes and showing up at schools, emergency rooms, and homeless shelters,” Bass said at a press conference.
She claimed the ICE activity was used as a “pretext” to militarize the response and send U.S. Marines into the city. “They used this to federalize the National Guard, and then the White House praised them for restoring peace — even though the Guard didn’t arrive until Sunday,” Bass added.
Constitutional Clash Over Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration has made targeting sanctuary cities a central part of its immigration agenda, and this latest lawsuit follows similar legal action against several cities in New Jersey.
“The Supremacy Clause prohibits the City of Los Angeles and its officials from singling out the Federal Government for adverse treatment,” the lawsuit states. “Accordingly, the law and policies challenged here are invalid and should be enjoined.”
As of Tuesday evening, city officials had not responded to Fox News‘ request for comment.
