Trump Sues LA Over Sanctuary City Policy

White House escalates legal crackdown on local immigration limits.

City of Los Angeles, via Venti Views on Unsplash

The Trump administration sued Los Angeles on Monday, escalating its fight against sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The legal move reflects Trump’s broader crackdown on Democratic-led cities ahead of the 2026 election.

Lawsuit Claims LA Is Blocking Deportation Efforts

The federal suit accuses Los Angeles of violating the Constitution’s supremacy clause through a 2024 city ordinance that bars local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE or sharing information without a criminal warrant.

“Los Angeles has sought to do nothing short of prohibit [ICE] from operating within city limits, directly contrary to federal immigration law,” the suit states. (WSJ)

The Trump administration argues that LA’s policy has led to “inevitable” clashes with federal immigration officers and holds the city’s leadership responsible for fueling the recent days of unrest and protest in downtown Los Angeles. (WSJ)

City Officials Say It’s About Trust and Safety

In response, Mayor Karen Bass stated: “We will not be intimidated by these tactics. I will always protect Angelenos against the unwarranted and cruel actions of this administration.” (WSJ)

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said LA’s ordinance is “carefully drafted” and fully compliant with federal law, while Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez added, “We refuse to stand by and let Donald Trump deport innocent families.” (AP)

Local leaders argue that sanctuary policies build trust in immigrant communities and encourage cooperation with police, especially among undocumented victims of crime.

Part of a Broader Campaign Against Blue Cities

The lawsuit is part of a wave of federal actions targeting sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide. Trump has ordered reviews of federal grant eligibility for dozens of cities and praised recent ICE raids across California. Critics argue it’s a campaign-season tactic designed to provoke legal showdowns with progressive leader. (Guardian)

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