San Fran To Lead Coalition Against Trump Policy

Well, folks, here we go again—another round in the ongoing battle between sanctuary cities and the federal government, and this time, San Francisco is leading the charge. If you’ve been paying attention for the past few years, you know this fight is nothing new, but it’s certainly heating up once again.

So, what’s happening? On Friday, San Francisco, along with Santa Clara County, King County in Washington, and the cities of Portland, Oregon, and New Haven, Connecticut, all teamed up to take on the Trump administration over its latest efforts to crack down on sanctuary jurisdictions.

Their argument? That Trump’s executive order—which threatens to withhold federal funds from cities and counties that refuse to help enforce federal immigration law—is an abuse of power.

Now, let’s break this down. The lawsuit specifically points to a February 5 memo from the Department of Justice that not only warns of defunding but also raises the possibility of civil and criminal prosecution for jurisdictions that refuse to comply.

That’s a serious escalation, and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu isn’t having it. In his words, the federal government is “coercing local officials to bend to their will” by threatening cities into submission. He calls it “illegal and authoritarian.” Strong words.

If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Back in 2017, San Francisco sued the Trump administration over a similar executive order, arguing that the federal government had no right to dictate how cities use their local resources.

And now, history repeats itself. The argument remains the same—Trump’s administration is overstepping, attempting to punish cities that refuse to play along with his immigration policies.

And let’s not forget the bigger picture here. Sanctuary policies have been a lightning rod in national politics, with critics arguing they undermine federal law and public safety, while supporters insist they protect immigrant communities and build trust between law enforcement and residents.

But one thing is clear—this legal battle is just getting started, and it’s likely to draw in even more cities and counties as the fight plays out in the courts.