America First Legal is putting sanctuary jurisdictions on notice ahead of the mass deportation operation President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to carry out, beginning on Day One of his administration.
The conservative legal group said it sent letters to 249 elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions warning them about the consequences of interfering with federal enforcement of immigration laws.
AFL’s letters to elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions warn:
- The federal government has ultimate authority over immigration.
- Federal law prohibits interfering with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state or local officials’ communications on immigration status.
- To conceal, harbor, or shield aliens is a federal crime.
- Sanctuary jurisdiction policies can lead to criminal liability.
- Sanctuary jurisdiction policies can lead to personal financial liability.
"We have identified your jurisdiction as a sanctuary jurisdiction that is violating federal law," the letter reads. "Such lawlessness subjects you and your subordinates to significant risk of criminal and civil liability. Accordingly, we are sending this letter to put you on notice of this risk and insist that you comply with our nation’s laws."
Additionally, AFL is launching a “Sanctuary Strongholds” website that identifies these jurisdictions across the country and lists the contact information for elected officials who violate federal law.
The group also filed a petition with the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) “to increase transparency into crimes committed by illegal aliens against women and children.”
And investigative requests were filed with “17 key states and cities across the U.S. to expose the individuals and organizations actively undermining federal immigration enforcement and the rule of law.”
/2 As part of AFL’s initial response to leftist elected officials and organizations’ plans to interfere with the federal enforcement of our immigration laws, we have:
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) December 24, 2024
➡️ Notified 249 elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions across the U.S. of the legal consequences they…
/4 AFL’s letters to elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions warn:
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) December 24, 2024
➡️ The federal government has ultimate authority over immigration.
➡️ Federal law prohibits interfering with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state or local officials’ communications on immigration… pic.twitter.com/9XBXOFTlQQ
/6 “Sanctuary Strongholds” provides contact information for elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions so that residents can urge them to support the rule of law, oppose illegal and dangerous sanctuary policies, and SHIELD – Stop Helping Illegals Enter and Linger without… pic.twitter.com/UY6Ku7fsER
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) December 24, 2024
/8 AFL has also filed a petition with the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), demanding that it start collecting information detailing the citizenship status and nationality of individuals charged with violent crimes — including murder, sexual assault,… pic.twitter.com/arWkQp5bul
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) December 24, 2024
/10 On September 25, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that there are 425,431 non-detained illegal aliens with criminal convictions and 222,141 non-detained illegal aliens with pending criminal charges — all with orders for deportation — roaming free… pic.twitter.com/2228UIhZnj
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) December 24, 2024
/12 Acting ICE Director Patrick J. Lechleitner stated that one of the reasons for this high number of criminal aliens who are free from detention is that “‘sanctuary’ policies can end up shielding dangerous criminals, who often victimize those same [immigrant] communities.” pic.twitter.com/muheHkpjVI
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) December 24, 2024
/14 AFL will continue fighting to protect Americans, uphold the rule of law, and hold elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for their refusal to comply with federal immigration laws.
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) December 24, 2024
"The left-wing politicians who create and run them, and those who support them, put our citizens at risk, undermine our Constitution, and dangerously erode the rule of law," America First Legal's Senior Vice President Reed D. Rubenstein said of sanctuary jurisdictions, reports Fox News. "America First Legal will continue working tirelessly to protect our immigration laws and support the brave men and women who enforce them. Today’s actions are but a first step in our fight against sanctuary lawlessness."