Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurity
Axios
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
Pressure mounts in Nashville over immigration crackdown
Nashville is facing mounting pressure from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans as part of the continuing fallout from an immigration crackdown that resulted in nearly 200 arrests. Two House committees launched investigations into Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office following the May operation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security included Nashville on a new list of "sanctuary jurisdictions" that it accused of "deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities." Why it matters: The White House has said the pushback in Nashville could make the city a target for larger immigration operations. "We'll flood the zone," Trump border czar Tom Homan said repeatedly while discussing the matter on Fox News. Catch up quick: ICE and DHS officers worked with Tennessee Highway Patrol to conduct scores of traffic stops in south Nashville, which is home to many Hispanic residents, earlier this month. MNPD was not involved. In response to the operations, O'Connell updated a preexisting executive order to require Metro agencies to report communications with federal immigration officials, so that Metro would know in advance of future ICE activity. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles then sent a letter to the House Judiciary and Homeland Security committees urging them to investigate O'Connell over the executive order. What he's saying: O'Connell told reporters on Friday that his focus is on "getting violent criminals off the streets and protecting innocent Nashvillians." O'Connell reiterated that Nashville is not a sanctuary city. (Tennessee outlawed sanctuary cities years ago and state lawmakers made it illegal for elected officials to support so-called sanctuary policies earlier this year.) "I'm puzzled by what criteria they used to include Nashville" on the list of "sanctuary jurisdictions," he said. O'Connell also denied allegations that the city was working in any way to obstruct federal immigration enforcement. He said the city was focused instead on "transparency."
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dept. of Homeland Security puts R.I. on notice as a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction.' It's unclear why.
The Trump administration has put the state of Rhode Island on notice. Now a formal notification of its 'noncompliance' with federal immigration policy is forthcoming, says the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Exactly what court order the Trump administration is using to base its declaration that Rhode Island is defying federal immigration policy remains a mystery. But the head of the state's chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a theory. The state as well as Providence and Central Falls are on a list of 500 'sanctuary jurisdictions' that may lose federal funding released Thursday night by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The list was compiled based on factors like noncompliance with federal law enforcement, information-sharing restrictions, and giving legal protections to undocumented immigrants, the department's website stated. The website also states that Rhode Island made the list because of a 'Court Order Requiring State Sanctuary Requirements.' Rhode Island Current reached out to Homeland Security for specific details and received a statement reiterating the designation factors on the department's website. Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU of Rhode Island, hypothesized that the federal government may be citing a 2014 federal court order that ruled police officers in Rhode Island cannot hold a person in custody based upon an U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer alone for more than 48 hours. 'It's a very basic Fourth Amendment law,' Brown said in an interview. 'And it appears the Trump administration is upset that the Constitution prevents them from doing what they want to do.' The Department of Homeland Security's list was published as part of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump April 28 mandating federal officials identify and publicly highlight jurisdictions that 'refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.' 'These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement Thursday. 'We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law.' The announcement from the Department of Homeland Security states each jurisdiction on the list will receive a formal notification of its 'noncompliance' with federal policy and must immediately review and revise its policies to align with the Trump administration. Gov. Dan McKee's office has not received any notification as of Friday, said spokesperson Olivia DaRocha. Officials in Central Falls and Providence said their cities have not received any notice either. 'As we have always stated, Rhode Island cooperates with ICE on the lawful detention of criminals in accordance with a binding federal court ruling,' DaRocha said in an emailed statement, referring to the 2014 court order. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said in a statement that he has no plans to change the city's existing policy regarding immigration. Police officers are prohibited from asking about someone's immigration status and from holding a subject 'based exclusively' on an administrative detainer, nor are they allowed to arrest suspected undocumented individuals unless federal immigration officers provide a criminal warrant signed by a judge. 'The Providence Police are not and will not be immigration officers and are better able to keep our community safe with this policy,' Smiley said. 'Providence remains committed to being a safe and welcoming city for all.' Smiley added that the city remains fully compliant with federal law and does not violate any federal regulations. Central Falls in 2019 enacted its own ordinance that prohibits local police officers from questioning people about their immigration status without probable cause, bar any compliance with detainer requests made without a warrant, and ensure municipal services are available to all residents regardless of their citizenship. Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera in a statement said her city stands by its values and community. 'Our ordinance is legal and makes our city safer –– building a stronger foundation for public trust in our local police department,' Rivera said. 'Together with the city of Providence, we won this fight before during the first Trump Administration.' Rivera was referring to a 2018 lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department over requirements that recipients of a federal criminal-justice grant, known as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, cooperate with authorities in the enforcement of federal immigration law. U.S. District Court Judge Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ruled in favor of the cities in 2019, which was upheld by a federal appeals court in Boston in 2020. But the chairman of Rhode Island's Republican Party said the state's placement on the list was the result of 'deliberate, reckless choices' by the governor and city officials. 'Let's be clear, this isn't compassion, it's capitulation,' party chairman Joe Powers said in a statement. 'McKee is harboring those who break federal law while turning his back on those who enforce it.' 'President Trump is standing up to this nonsense,' he continued. Brown, however, maintains that there's not legitimate basis from the federal government that Rhode Island or any municipalities are violating federal law. 'They're not, they're upholding the law,' he said. Also making the list were Connecticut, and its cities of East Haven; Hamden; Hartford; New Haven; New London; and Windham. Massachusetts made the list along with 13 of its 14 counties with Hampden County excluded, and 12 cities: Amherst; Boston; Cambridge; Chelsea; Concord; Holyoke; Lawrence; Newton; Northampton; Orleans; Somerville; and Springfield. Vermont and its cities of Burlington; Montpelier; and Winooski were listed as was Maine's Cumberland and Hancock counties and the city of Portland and the New Hampshire cities of Hanover and Lebanon. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Trump DHS lists Democratic strongholds, and deep red Shawano County, as defying immigration law
Shawano County was included on a Department of Homeland Security list of jurisdictions "defying federal immigration law" The U.S. Department of Homeland Security listed Shawano County along with Dane County, Madison and Milwaukee as Wisconsin jurisdictions 'defying immigration law' on Thursday. The department released the list as part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump requiring that sanctuary jurisdictions across the country be listed. 'Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities,' the DHS announcement states. 'Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.' Dane County, Madison and Milwaukee have enacted policies that limit local law enforcement agencies' collaboration with federal immigration authorities. Earlier this year, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett announced that the county would no longer participate in a program that provides funding in exchange for telling federal agencies when an immigrant without legal status is in custody in the local jail. Milwaukee also refuses to share such information. 'DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens,' DHS stated. But Shawano County, which Trump won with 67% of its vote last year, is a Republican Party stronghold that appears out of place on the list. The DHS announcement states that 'no one should act on this information without conducting their own evaluation of the information.' In 2021, the Shawano County board voted to declare the county a 'Second Amendment sanctuary county,' which declared the county sheriff would not enforce any laws which 'unconstitutionally impedes our fundamental Second Amendment right to Keep and Bear Arms.' The Shawano County administrator and sheriff did not respond to requests for comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
These Colorado areas are listed as ‘sanctuary jurisdictions' by Homeland Security
DENVER (KDVR) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a sanctuary jurisdiction list of areas across the country, including 14 cities and several counties in Colorado, that are allegedly defying immigration laws. On Thursday, the department posted a list of more than 500 jurisdictions across the country on its website as part of the executive order 'Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens.' The department said the order requires a list of jurisdictions obstructing federal immigration laws, also known as sanctuary jurisdictions. Colorado House passes immigration protections after DOJ sues for 'sanctuary' policies Sanctuary jurisdictions are considered cities, counties and states that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws and 'protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences,' according to the department. This list comes about a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order cracking down on immigration laws. Border Czar Tom Homan said during a press conference when the order was signed that sanctuary cities are going to be sued by the Trump administration for not following the immigration laws. The list was created to identify these jurisdictions. The department said it used factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions and legal protections for illegal aliens to determine the list. Colorado was listed as self-identifying as a state sanctuary jurisdiction. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has testified on Capitol Hill on sanctuary city policies, but the city has never formally taken on the title of a sanctuary city. Boebert claims Johnston proved Denver is a 'sanctuary' city; advocates voice support of such policies Meanwhile, several other Colorado cities and counties were also included on the sanctuary jurisdiction list. Here's which Colorado jurisdictions are on the list, as of May 30: Adams County Arapahoe County Baca County Bent County Boulder County Broomfield County Chafee County Cheyenne County Clear Creek County Conejos County Costilla County Custer County Denver County Eagle County El Paso County Garfield County Gilpin County Gunnison County Huerfano County Jefferson County Kiowa County Kit Carson County La Plata County Lake County Larimer County Las Animas County Lincoln County Logan County Morgan County Otero County Park County Pitkin County Prowers County Pueblo County Rio Grande County Saguache County San Miguel County Summit County Washington County Weld County Yuma County Boulder City of Durango City of Fort Collins Denver Lafeyette Lakewood Longmont Northglenn Town of Avon Town of Basalt Town of Carbondale Town of Dillon Town of Eagle Town of Vail The department said the listed jurisdictions will receive a formal notification of their non-compliance, and demands that the jurisdictions review and revise their polices to comply with the federal immigration laws. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Amid ICE criticism, Nashville makes list of 'sanctuary jurisdictions' by Homeland Security
Nashville is included on a new list of 'sanctuary jurisdictions' that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security claims are violating federal immigration law — despite Nashville not being classified as a sanctuary city. DHS appears to have published the list on May 29. According to the DHS website, a 'sanctuary jurisdiction' is a city, county or state that is 'deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities.' The website says so-called sanctuary jurisdictions are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions and legal protections for undocumented immigrants. There are only two 'sanctuary jurisdictions' listed in Tennessee — Nashville and Shelby County. DHS says each jurisdiction will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with federal statutes. 'DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens,' the DHS website reads. It's not immediately clear why Nashville — or any jurisdiction in Tennessee — is included on the list, given that neither has self-identified as a sanctuary city. In Tennessee, sanctuary cities have been banned for about seven years, and another state law passed earlier this year criminalizes local officials who support sanctuary policies for immigrants. Meanwhile, though some local officials have criticized federal immigration enforcement action, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently collaborated with the Tennessee Highway Patrol to conduct a weeklong operation in Nashville, which resulted in nearly 200 arrests. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell was critical of ICE during the operation, asking repeatedly for the release of the names and charges of the individuals arrested in Nashville and updating an existing executive order requiring city departments to report communications with federal immigration authorities to the mayor's office on a shorter timeline. The latter action has come under scrutiny from Republicans in Washington, D.C., who have vowed to open congressional investigations into O'Connell's conduct and potentially even ramp up immigration enforcement actions in Nashville. Austin Hornbostel is the Metro reporter for The Tennessean. Have a question about local government you want an answer to? Reach him at ahornbostel@ Get Davidson County news delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville among 'sanctuary jurisdictions,' Homeland Security says
