Overview

• Between August 13 and 15, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent demand letters to 35 states, counties and cities giving them until August 19 to confirm steps to eliminate policies that impede federal immigration enforcement
• Bondi’s letters invoke President Trump’s April executive order and warn that federal grants, contracts and funds could be withheld and that officials obstructing immigration enforcement may face criminal prosecution
• Governors and attorneys general in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont have dismissed the letters as vague and illegal and pledged to defend state and local sovereignty through litigation
• Boston Mayor Michelle Wu maintained that her city complies with federal law and criticized the letters as intimidation, saying Boston will respond but will not capitulate to threats
• The Justice Department has outlined criteria for sanctuary designations but has not yet enacted any funding restrictions or prosecutions, leaving enforcement details and timelines unresolved