White House Announces New Immigration Measures to Target 'Sanctuary Cities'

What Happened?

The White House announced a new round of immigration measures, Monday, in the latest attempt to crackdown on 'sanctuary cities.'

White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, told reporters that the administration, by directive of Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, would highlight cities accused of not complying with federal immigration laws.

Leavitt previewed President Donald Trump's plans to sign several executive orders related to immigration efforts as he closes in on the first 100 days of his second term in office.

'It’s quite simple — obey the law, respect the law, and don’t obstruct federal immigration officials and law enforcement officials when they are simply trying to remove public safety threats from our nation’s communities,' said Leavitt.

White House border czar, Tom Homan, told CNN that 139,000 undocumented immigrants have been deported since the beginning of Trump's second administration.

As of Monday, more than 140 executive orders will have been signed by Trump, White House officials said.

Why it Matters

A federal judge recently ruled that Trump’s executive order that seeks to crackdown on sanctuary cities is likely unconstitutional.

'Here we are again,' U.S. District Judge, William Orrick, said in his ruling.

Judge Orrick claimed it mirrors a previous order Trump issued during his first presidential term that he similarly invalidated.

The order currently blocks the Trump administration from enforcing the measures against 16 cities and counties that sued.

Trump signed a broader executive order on his first day in office that directed officials to ensure that 'sanctuary' jurisdictions 'do not receive access to federal funds.'

Orrick's ruling reportedly blocks that provision and Attorney General Bondi’s memo that defines a sanctuary city as the litigation proceeds.

These developments unfold after the FBI arrested a Wisconsin judge, Friday, who allegedly helped an undocumented man evade immigration authorities.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge, Hannah Dugan, was charged with obstruction, FBI Director, Kash Patel, announced.

'The Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public,' Patel said.

Dugan's next court appearance is May 15 after being released.

Her actions have escalated growing tension between several federal judges and the Trump administration over recent immigration measures.

How it Affects You

The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from removing a group of Venezuelan immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act.

It certainly has not deterred Trump from enforcing other measures that center mass deportation efforts in his current term.

The Trump administration has denied allegations that some judges have found probable cause that it acted in contempt over carrying out some deportations.

Immigration attorneys have called on the Supreme Court for more clarifications when contesting such measures as the Alien Enemies Act.

It will be a growing challenge for sanctuary cities as these immigration policies expand under broader executive orders, if allowed by the higher court.