Overview

• The lawsuit, filed Sept. 4 in federal court in Massachusetts, names the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Police Department, and Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox.
• Prosecutors target the Boston Trust Act, saying its limits on detainers, ICE-only warrants, and information-sharing unlawfully obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
• The complaint alleges Boston’s stance has led to the release of noncitizens convicted of crimes who would otherwise face removal, a claim the city disputes.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi framed Boston as a leading sanctuary violator, while Wu called the action unconstitutional and vowed a vigorous defense of the ordinance.
• The case joins a broader national campaign with mixed results, including a recent federal dismissal of the DOJ’s Illinois/Chicago suit now on appeal and a ruling barring the administration from withholding certain funds from Boston and other jurisdictions.