The Department of Justice on Tuesday named nearly three dozen cities, counties, and states that it identified as having sanctuary policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement, and warned that more legal actions may follow.

In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the jurisdictions—many of which are Democratic-led—are implementing policies that “impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design.”

“The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country,” Bondi said.

BREAKING: Seattle & WA state are on the list of sanctuary jurisdictions being targeted by the Justice Department“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design. The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary…

— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) August 5, 2025

The DOJ’s list includes 13 states and several major cities.

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

States identified include California, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Delaware, Nevada, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia.

Several of these states have already faced federal lawsuits over immigration-related issues, with varying legal outcomes.

The case in Illinois is currently the most advanced in the courts.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The DOJ had filed suit over the state’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, citing constitutional concerns.

However, a federal judge dismissed the case, ruling that Illinois' policies are protected under the Constitution and that the federal government’s complaint infringed on state sovereignty.

The DOJ has not yet announced whether it will appeal the ruling or amend its legal arguments.

Despite the setback in Illinois, the DOJ has reported progress in other jurisdictions.

In Louisville, Kentucky, city officials modified their policies following pressure from the department.

The city had previously limited cooperation with federal authorities but has since agreed to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests, allowing a 48-hour hold period for suspected illegal immigrants before potential federal arrest.

“This is a chance for these jurisdictions to come to the table and work with us to keep Americans safe,” a DOJ spokesperson said.

Other cities named on the DOJ’s list include Boston, New Orleans, Seattle, and Philadelphia.

Four counties were also identified, although the department has not publicly released the specific names.

A central point of concern for the DOJ involves detainer requests issued by ICE.

These are formal notifications from federal immigration authorities to local law enforcement agencies asking them to hold an individual in custody for up to 48 hours after their scheduled release, giving ICE time to assume custody.

Sanctuary jurisdictions often implement policies that direct law enforcement not to comply with these detainer requests, arguing that cooperation could violate individual rights or place undue liability on local agencies.

Federal officials argue that such policies hinder ICE’s ability to enforce immigration laws and remove individuals who may pose public safety risks.

The DOJ has increasingly prioritized immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Officials have said they intend to pursue a multi-pronged legal strategy in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security to challenge state and local policies they say obstruct federal law.

While litigation is ongoing, the department also emphasized that the list serves as a tool for negotiation.

The DOJ is encouraging jurisdictions to revise their policies voluntarily to avoid federal action and potentially avoid litigation altogether.

As the department evaluates its next legal steps, further developments are expected in the coming months regarding both current lawsuits and any new cases the DOJ may pursue.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of AirItOutBro.com. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.