Rhode Island was identified Tuesday as one of 13 states with policies that federal officials say impede immigration law enforcement, according to a list published by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Ocean State joined California, New York, Illinois and nine other states on the list mandated by President Donald Trump’s April executive order directing federal agencies to identify so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.
“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “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.”
The designation was made after what the Justice Department called “a thorough review of documented laws, ordinances, and executive directives” by listed jurisdictions. Rhode Island could face potential legal action similar to lawsuits the department has filed against other sanctuary jurisdictions in recent months.
Nine Criteria for Designation
The Justice Department outlined nine characteristics that define sanctuary jurisdictions, including public declarations of sanctuary status, laws that limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, restrictions on information sharing about detainees’ immigration status, and policies that refuse to honor ICE detainer requests without a judge-signed warrant.
Other criteria include restricting ICE agents’ access to interview detainees, creating offices to advise immigrant communities on “evading federal law enforcement officers,” and providing benefits to people in the country illegally that circumvent federal prohibitions.
The list, published under Executive Order 14287 signed April 28, also includes four counties and 18 cities nationwide. Boston, which has significant ties to Rhode Island, was among the cities designated.
Federal Response and Consequences
The Justice Department said it has filed several recent lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions, including one against New York City on July 24. Louisville’s mayor agreed to revoke sanctuary policies after receiving a letter from the department threatening legal action.
The executive order stated that “some State and local officials . . . continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws” and declared “it is imperative that the Federal Government restore the enforcement of United States law.”
Federal officials said the list is not exhaustive and will be updated as authorities gather more information. Each jurisdiction will have an opportunity to respond to its placement on the list, and the government offered to help any jurisdiction eliminate sanctuary policies to be removed.
The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a central focus, with the April executive order titled “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens” directing the Justice Department to work with the Department of Homeland Security to identify non-compliant jurisdictions.
What’sUpNewp has reached out to officials for comment.