Trump Administration Claims MA 'Shamefully Obstructing' Federal Immigration Laws

MASSACHUSETTS — President Donald Trump's administration is again targeting so-called sanctuary cities that have immigration policies it claims violate federal law. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a public list of places with such policies, naming 13 counties and 12 cities in Massachusetts.

The executive order claims these cities, towns, and counties are "shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities" and are protecting "dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril."

Each jurisdiction named will receive a formal notification from the Department of Homeland Security. They will be required to revise policies to conform to federal law, according to the executive order.

The Massachusetts counties and cities on the list include:

Counties

• Barnstable County
• Berkshire County
• Bristol County
• Dukes County
• Essex County
• Franklin County
• Hampshire County
• Middlesex County
• Nantucket County
• Norfolk County
• Plymouth County
• Suffolk County
• Worcester County

Cities

• Amherst
• Boston
• Cambridge
• Chelsea
• Concord
• Holyoke
• Lawrence
• Newton
• Northampton
• Orleans
• Somerville
• Springfield

Trump has previously threatened to pull $300 million in federal funds annually due to Boston's status as a so-called sanctuary city.

Related: Trump Threat To Pull Federal Money From "Sanctuary Cities" Could Cost Boston $300 Million A Year

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said that the city's police work with state and federal law enforcement "every day" when it comes to criminal matters, but that state law and the Boston Trust Act "make clear that immigration is federal law enforcement's responsibility," according to CBS News Boston.

Wu's opinion is echoed by Gov. Maura Healey, who has said that Massachusetts is "not a sanctuary state."

Wu was part of Congressional hearings in March over a federal investigation into the city's policies on immigrants.

"We're the safest city because we are safe for everyone," Wu said. "In a community where more than a quarter of our residents come from, or were born in, another country, if people are afraid to drop their kids off at school, or call 911 when they need help, or share information when they actually have information to report about a crime that happened, that makes everyone less safe whether or not you are an immigrant, whether or not you are in this country for six generations or just arrived."

Related: 'Home For Everyone': Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Fires Back At Border Czar After ICE Raids

Previously, Immigration and Customs Enforcement made 370 arrests of undocumented citizens across Boston and Massachusetts.

Trump is also in a public battle with Harvard, as his administration has blocked the university from enrolling international students.

Related: Trump Stops Harvard From Enrolling International Students: Report

The sanctuary city list targets every other New England state as well, with Connecticut having the most cities at six.