AG Barr Announces DOJ Suing States Over Sanctuary Policies

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed lawsuits against the State of California, New Jersey, and King County Washington.

• State of California, California Governor, and California Attorney General for Prohibiting the Operation of Private Detention Facilities in the State. Find more information on the suit here.

• State of New Jersey, New Jersey Governor, and New Jersey Attorney General for Prohibiting State Officials From Sharing Information With U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Find more information on the suit here.

• Justice Department Sues King County, Washington, and King County Executive for Prohibiting U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Contractors From Using King County International Airport.  Find more information on the suit here.

Attorney General William P. Barr announced yesterday the new lawsuits in a speech he gave to the National Sheriffs’ Association Winter Legislative and Technology Conference held in Washington, D.C.

“Let us state the reality upfront and as clearly as possible: When we are talking about sanctuary cities, we are talking about policies that are designed to allow criminal aliens to escape. These policies are not about people who came to our country illegally but have otherwise been peaceful and productive members of society,” said Barr. “Their express purpose is to shelter aliens whom local law enforcement has already arrested for other crimes. This is neither lawful nor sensible.”

“Unfortunately, in various jurisdictions, so-called “progressive” politicians are jeopardizing the public’s safety by putting the interests of criminal aliens before those of law-abiding citizens. They have put in place policies and laws designed to thwart the ability of federal officers to take custody of these criminals and thereby help them escape back into the community,” said Barr. “They often proudly brand their jurisdictions as “sanctuaries,” and package their obstructive policies in idealistic and misleading rhetoric about “protecting the immigrant community.”

“It is not lawful because the Constitution vests the federal government with the sole authority to make and enforce immigration law. For decades, Congress enacted immigration laws authorizing the removal of aliens in the United States who commit certain crimes,” said Barr. “Those laws have been passed by members of both political parties and signed by presidents of both political parties. For example, in 1996, President Clinton signed into law a federal statute that prohibits restricting information sharing about aliens.”

“Despite this long bipartisan record, some state and local politicians have developed schemes to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from accessing critical information about criminal aliens and taking physical custody of criminal aliens. But that is not the proper role of local governments,” said Barr.