Attorney General Pam Bondi warned on Thursday that California and dozens of other jurisdictions with sanctuary city policies may soon lose federal funding if they continue to block cooperation with immigration enforcement.
In a post on X, Bondi said the Justice Department has sent “demand letters” to states, counties, and cities across the country identified as sanctuary jurisdictions. She shared a portion of a letter addressed to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) outlining possible violations of federal law and warning of financial consequences.
Any sanctuary jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court.
Today @TheJusticeDept delivered demand letters to sanctuary cities, counties, and states — a key step in our strategic effort to eradicate… pic.twitter.com/aKWNCY4hJN
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 14, 2025
Bondi wrote that President Donald Trump directed her and the Department of Homeland Security to identify sanctuary jurisdictions and notify them of their “unlawful sanctuary status.” She emphasized that cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities is essential for national security and has been codified in federal law.
According to Bondi, federal agencies are reviewing their authority to attach immigration enforcement requirements to grants, contracts, and other funding streams. She said jurisdictions that refuse to comply could face “additional consequences and further agency actions as permitted by law.”
At the beginning of August, the DOJ released a list of more than 30 sanctuary jurisdictions. The list included states such as California, New York, and Colorado, as well as major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
It’s not immediately clear how many letters were sent to other states, cities, and counties as part of Bondi’s release on Thursday. The Washington Examiner contacted the DOJ for more information.
TRUMP DOJ LISTS SANCTUARY CITIES AND STATES IT WANTS TO ‘ERADICATE’
The push is part of Trump’s April executive order “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens,” which instructs the DOJ and DHS to identify sanctuary jurisdictions and recommend suspending or terminating federal funding for those obstructing immigration enforcement.
The Washington Examiner contacted Newsom’s office but did not immediately receive a response.
