The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed lawsuits against “sanctuary cities.” They are planning on sending Border Patrol units to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is a new crackdown and legal battle of what the administration deems unlawful activity from these cities.

Border Patrol Assigned to Assist ICE

The DOJ has filed new lawsuits to pressure “sanctuary cities” to cease their unlawful approach to immigration. These are cities which have declared themselves a sanctuary for those who have come into the country illegally. Fox News claims the Border Patrol units heading to sanctuary cities is part of a stronger crackdown on illegal immigration. Primarily, they will assist ICE agents in detaining illegal immigrants who have been ordered deported or who are violent offenders. DOJ is also assigning Border Patrol units will to certain cities, which could be permanent.

According to the New York Times, among those units will be the elite unit BORTAC. This team is described as the SWAT team of the US Customs and Border Patrol. Chicago, New York, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, and Newark, New Jersey are just some of the cities expected to see these units.

A Halt to New York’s Trusted Traveler Program

Attorney General Bill Barr announced the DOJ would file lawsuits against “sanctuary cities.” The goal is to freeze new enrollment and renewals in “trusted traveler” programs for New York state residents. “Today is a significant escalation in the federal government’s efforts to confront the resistance of sanctuary cities,” said Barr in his remarks to a National Sheriffs’ Association.

President Donald Trump campaigned on the promise of cracking down on illegal immigration. One part of his plan is his proposed border wall. It is being built with many more miles included in the new budget. Another part of his plan is to remove undocumented immigrants with prior criminal records. As election season is in full gear, President Trump has ramped up his rhetoric against “sanctuary cities.”

President Trump is fulfilling more campaign promises to keep America safe

He even called out California during the State of the Union address for its current laws on undocumented immigrants. Through these actions, President Trump is fulfilling more campaign promises to keep America safe. His remark came after an undocumented immigrant was arrested, and released, on a DUI charge that killed three people.

Lawsuit Battles Begin

The Department of Justice is also filing a lawsuit against New Jersey claiming the state is violating the Supremacy Clause of Article IV of the Constitution and federal immigration law. This is because the state is not sharing information with the Department of Homeland Security on undocumented immigrants who have been arrested and are serving time in jail or prison, according to The Heritage Foundation.

The Supremacy Clause states, “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”

DOJ is also suing California after Gov. Gavin Newsom passed a law banning private detention centers within the state, according to Time. Also a target of a DOJ lawsuits is King County, Washington. This after an executive order banned deportation flights through their airport, King County International.

As lawsuits come in against cities declaring themselves “sanctuaries,” we will watch how the judges rule in these lawsuits. President Trump has appointed a plethora of new judges within the courts which could help a favorable ruling.