The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the City of Boston, its Mayor Michelle Wu, and the Boston Police Department, alleging that the city’s sanctuary policies hinder federal immigration enforcement. The complaint claims that Boston’s refusal to cooperate with federal authorities allows dangerous individuals, including undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes, to remain on the streets.
Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Boston of explicitly enforcing policies designed to “undermine law enforcement and protect illegal aliens from justice.” She highlighted specific cases, including a Haitian national charged with raping a child in a migrant center and an El Salvadoran illegal immigrant facing 11 counts of child rape. Bondi stated, “If Boston won’t protect its citizens from illegal alien crime, this Department of Justice will.”
The lawsuit targets the Boston Trust Act, which restricts local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities. The DOJ argues that the policy “discriminates against the Federal Government” and endangers public safety by releasing criminals who should be removed from the country.
Mayor Wu defended the city’s policies, calling the lawsuit an “unconstitutional attack” aimed at advancing an “authoritarian agenda.” She emphasized Boston’s status as a safe, thriving community and vowed to “vigorously defend our laws and constitutional rights.”
The Justice Department has previously sued other cities, including New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, over similar sanctuary policies. The case marks the latest effort by the Civil Division to challenge local laws that impede federal immigration enforcement.