The Trump administration has launched a legal challenge against the city of Boston, targeting its sanctuary city policies that restrict local police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, takes aim at the Boston Trust Act, which prevents city law enforcement from engaging in civil immigration enforcement without a criminal warrant and limits cooperation with federal authorities unless public safety is at stake.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) asserts that Boston's policy is in direct violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The clause stipulates that federal law supersedes conflicting state or local laws, thereby bringing into question the legality of Boston's stance on immigration enforcement. In its complaint, the DOJ alleges that Boston's non-cooperation has led to the release of individuals with criminal convictions, who should have been transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), back onto the streets.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been vocal about her opposition to sanctuary cities, and her statement, as reported by Conservative Brief, reflects this stance. Bondi criticizes Boston for its "open defiance of federal law" and pledges the DOJ's commitment to protect citizens from "illegal alien crime" in the absence of the city's action.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Police Commissioner Michael Cox, both named in the suit, have expressed their determination to fight the lawsuit. Mayor Wu stands firm on defending the city's laws and the constitutional rights of cities to govern their own law enforcement policies. She also highlights Boston's status as a safe, economically robust, and culturally vibrant city, despite the federal government's attempt to undermine its community.
Legal experts, however, have expressed skepticism about the lawsuit's prospects. Attorney Joseph Malouf, in an interview with NBC10 Boston, stated that there is no legal precedent supporting the federal government's efforts to mandate state and local compliance with federal immigration duties.
The concept of a sanctuary city, although lacking an official legal definition, broadly describes jurisdictions that do not comply with ICE detainer requests and limit local police involvement in immigration enforcement. Advocates argue that such policies foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, while opponents claim they allow criminals to avoid deportation.
This lawsuit against Boston is not the first of its kind. The Trump administration has previously filed similar legal actions against Los Angeles, New York City, Denver, Rochester, and cities in New Jersey. With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, this latest move against Boston signifies the administration's continued focus on sanctuary city policies.
