AG Pam Bondi Issues Warning to Sanctuary Cities: ‘You’re Going To Be Next’

Attorney General Pam Bondi delivered a “clear message” on Thursday to cities and states that implement “sanctuary” policies, cautioning that officials in these areas could face criminal charges for shielding illegal immigrants.

Bondi made this statement during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, following the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts by preventing the arrest and deportation of illegal aliens.

Her remarks also came after she directed the DOJ to halt all federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions and initiated an investigation into organizations that assist individuals residing in the U.S. illegally.

“You’ve cracked down on sanctuary cities. The DOJ has put a pause on all federal funding to sanctuary cities and states. You filed a lawsuit against Chicago and the state of Illinois for being a sanctuary city. Am I wrong in my interpretation that a sanctuary city is aiding and abetting and law-breaking?” Hannity inquired.

“Sean, what they’re doing is they are choosing illegal aliens over the safety and security of their own citizens and the men and women of law enforcement who are out there trying to protect their citizens,” Bondi responded. “Not only did we sue today the City of Chicago, we sued the state of Illinois, we sued the mayor, we sued the governor, and we sued others.

“And let me be very clear: if you don’t comply with federal law, you’re going to be next,” she emphasized.

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The lawsuits filed on Thursday claim that “sanctuary” policies in Illinois and Cook County, which includes Chicago, represent an “intentional effort to obstruct the Federal Government’s enforcement of federal immigration law and to impede consultation and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for federal officials to carry out federal immigration law and keep Americans safe.”

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed an agreement allowing state Highway Patrol officers to act in coordination with federal immigration authorities, as reported by Fox News.

On January 29, Governor DeSantis engaged in discussions with law enforcement officials and Floridians affected by illegal immigration, emphasizing the urgency of enacting new state legislation to bolster the Trump administration’s initiatives in tackling illegal immigration, according to a statement from his office.

During these meetings, he signed a memorandum between the Florida Highway Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), granting troopers the authority to enforce immigration laws, according to the outlet.

“Governor DeSantis understands the role of law enforcement and wants to provide the strongest immigration law possible, empowering law enforcement to get to work and deport illegal aliens residing in the state,” stated Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department, in response to DeSantis’ announcement.

“Troopers are going to do what they’re told to do. … We’re going to become the tip of the spear,” said William Smith, president of the Florida Highway Patrol chapter of Florida’s Police Benevolent Association. “But it would be nice to know that … we have additional funding.”

This memorandum comes amid DeSantis’ criticism of a newly passed immigration reform bill from the GOP-led Florida Legislature.

“The bill the Florida Legislature passed … fails to honor our promises to voters, fails to meet the moment and would actually weaken state immigration enforcement,” DeSantis stated during a press conference.

“We must have the strongest law in the nation on immigration enforcement that will guarantee state and local deportation assistance, end catch and release, eliminate magnets such as remittances, and adopt supporting policies that will protect Floridians,” he added.

However, Smith noted that additional funding is necessary for operations and increasing trooper salaries. He also highlighted that there are currently about 150 open trooper positions, with DeSantis proposing to reduce that number by 25.