Sheriffs Ordered To Work With Trump’s ICE

The Trump administration is sending a clear message to sanctuary jurisdictions across America: cooperate with federal immigration authorities or risk serious legal consequences.

Federal officials have warned two Democratic sheriffs that they could face criminal prosecution if they continue blocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from taking custody of illegal immigrants who are eligible for deportation.

The warning letters, first reported by The New York Times, were sent last month to Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt in Minnesota and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart in Illinois. Both oversee counties that include major sanctuary cities—Minneapolis and Chicago—where local policies limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Trump Administration Expands Immigration Enforcement

Immigration has remained one of President Donald Trump’s signature priorities during his second term, with ICE stepping up operations in several Democrat-led sanctuary jurisdictions.

Chicago and Minneapolis have become key targets as federal immigration officials work to remove illegal immigrants who have been arrested and are facing deportation.

Those efforts have sparked protests, lawsuits, and ongoing political battles between the Trump administration and local Democratic officials who oppose expanded ICE cooperation.

Sheriffs Warned They Could Face Felony Charges

According to the report, federal officials warned both sheriffs that refusing to release inmates wanted by ICE could expose them to federal witness tampering charges, a felony offense.

The warnings represent one of the strongest legal threats yet against local officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Supporters of stricter immigration enforcement argue that sanctuary policies allow criminal illegal immigrants to avoid deportation and place public safety at risk.

Federal Courts Side With Sanctuary Counties

The warnings come after federal judges dismissed separate lawsuits involving both sheriffs.

Judges in Illinois and Minnesota ruled that states and local governments are not constitutionally required to help enforce federal immigration law.

The Justice Department has already appealed the Illinois decision involving Cook County.

As of Wednesday, no appeal had been filed in the Minnesota case.

Minnesota Sheriff Refuses To Change Policy

Despite the federal warning, Sheriff Dawanna Witt said her office will continue following its current policy.

Her department transfers inmates to ICE only when immigration officials present a warrant signed by a judge. Administrative immigration detainers alone are not enough.

Witt dismissed the federal warning as an attempt to pressure local officials.

“It’s a scare tactic,” she said.

She also remarked that while she has no desire to be arrested, federal officials know where to find her if they decide to pursue charges.

Cook County Receives Similar Warning

Cook County officials confirmed that Sheriff Tom Dart received a nearly identical letter.

Matt Walberg, a spokesman for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, told The New York Times that federal officials warned Dart he could also face witness tampering charges if the county continued refusing to fully cooperate with ICE.

Cook County operates the largest county jail in the Midwest, making its immigration policies especially significant to federal enforcement efforts.

DHS Defends the Move

The Department of Homeland Security defended the warning letters, saying the goal is to ensure dangerous criminal illegal immigrants are turned over to federal authorities instead of being released back into local communities.

DHS said the administration is working to hold “sanctuary politicians” accountable and remove barriers that interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

Immigration Fight Shows No Signs of Slowing

The dispute highlights the growing showdown between the Trump administration and Democrat-led sanctuary jurisdictions.

With the Justice Department continuing its legal challenges and ICE expanding enforcement operations nationwide, the battle over sanctuary city policies is likely to remain one of the administration’s most closely watched immigration fights.