Trump targets sanctuary cities, immigration policy in executive order
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US President Donald Trump signs an executive order demanding a list of sanctuary jurisdictions defying federal immigration laws, escalating his immigration crackdown.
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President Donald Trump arrives on Marine One at the White House, Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security to compile a list, within one month, of cities and states that are not complying with federal immigration laws, a White House official announced.
This executive order on immigration escalates Trump’s ongoing efforts to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions that decline to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Legal challenges to federal funding withholding
Last week, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from withholding federal funding from over a dozen sanctuary cities and states that refuse to assist in the administration’s strict immigration enforcement policies.
"President Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday, escalating his battle against Democratic-led states and cities that don’t fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities," a White House official said.
The Trump sanctuary cities executive order was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Trump's official schedule indicated he would sign executive orders at 5 pm EST.
Trump administration goes after 2-year-old
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration deported a two-year-old US citizen without due process, highlighting ongoing tensions between the White House's immigration policies and the judiciary, as the child's father seeks her return.
US District Judge Terry Doughty in Monroe, Louisiana, stated that the girl, identified as VML in court documents, was deported alongside her mother.
“It is illegal and unconstitutional to deport, detain for deportation, or recommend deportation of a US citizen,” the judge expressed.
Trump's immigration crackdown intensifies
Within his first hundred days in office, Trump has moved aggressively to strip legal immigration status from hundreds of thousands, enlarging the pool of those eligible for deportation. This move is part of his broader strategy to increase removals to record levels.
The Republican president has also sought to terminate humanitarian legal entry programs initiated by his Democratic predecessor and has revoked visas from thousands of students involved in protests or minor criminal incidents, including traffic violations.
While Americans remain divided on Trump’s immigration policy, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-April revealed that 45% of respondents approved of his immigration approach, higher than his approval on other significant issues.
