The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Boston, challenging the municipality's sanctuary city policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The legal action specifically targets Boston's Trust Act, which was approved by the city council several years ago and restricts the role that local officials play in enforcing the nation's immigration laws.
The Trust Act represents Boston's commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants by limiting how city employees and law enforcement officers assist federal immigration authorities. Under this policy, Boston officials are prohibited from detaining individuals solely based on immigration status or sharing certain information with federal agencies unless required by law or court order.
The Department of Justice argues that Boston's sanctuary policies interfere with federal immigration enforcement and violate federal law. Federal prosecutors contend that local jurisdictions cannot pick and choose which federal laws to follow, particularly when it comes to immigration matters that fall under federal jurisdiction.
This lawsuit is part of a broader federal effort to challenge sanctuary city policies across the United States. The legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and local policies designed to protect immigrant communities and encourage cooperation with local law enforcement without fear of deportation.
