Summary
Stephen Miller’s legal group, America First Legal Foundation, sent letters warning officials in sanctuary jurisdictions of potential “serious consequences,” including civil racketeering charges and prison time, for defying federal immigration laws.
The letters target 249 officials in areas restricting cooperation with ICE, such as San Diego County.
While courts have previously rejected similar anti-sanctuary efforts, the move signals aggressive immigration enforcement plans under Trump’s incoming administration.
Critics argue the threats highlight a broader strategy to intimidate and enforce mass deportation policies.
When these cities literally enact a policy of obstructing justice, their officials can and should be prosecuted.
Federal laws you don’t like don’t just become optional because you say so, and entering a country illegally or overstaying a visa is a crime under federal law. This isn’t something unique to the US where the US government is literally Hitler; it’s a well established international norm.
Miller’s reasons for supporting this are the wrong ones, but he says isn’t necessarily incorrect under federal law as it stands. Not to mention that supporting brazen violations of the law like this is part of the reason why Democrats have alienated ordinary voters and let the far right basically take over.