President Donald Trump signed two hardline immigration executive orders Monday, escalating his administration’s battle with local governments over immigration enforcement. The moves come just days after a federal court blocked his previous attempts to defund sanctuary cities.
The first order directs Attorney General to create a public list of jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It also identifies federal funds that could be stripped from these sanctuary cities and states. “We will no longer tolerate local officials deliberately obstructing immigration laws,” Trump said during the signing ceremony.
A second order pledges stronger protections for police officers, including legal defense funds for those facing lawsuits related to immigration enforcement actions. The White House claims this will “unleash law enforcement to pursue criminals,” though critics warn it could encourage racial profiling.
In a third measure, Trump mandated English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, reviving a long-discussed Republican priority.
These latest actions mark Trump’s continued focus on immigration during his second term, despite legal setbacks. Last week, a federal judge ruled his administration cannot withhold grants from sanctuary cities, upholding similar decisions from his first term.
The administration has now issued over 140 executive orders in Trump’s first 100 days nearing Biden’s four-year total. Sanctuary city leaders immediately vowed to fight the new orders in court. “We won’t be bullied into abandoning our values,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
For more on this developing story, visit DC Brief.
