(The Center Square) – Massachusetts, 13 of its counties and a dozen of its cities are on the Department of Homeland Security list of sanctuary jurisdictions.
The state’s self-identification as a “state sanctuary jurisdiction” is noted by the agency.
The counties are Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester. The cities are Amherst, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Concord, Holyoke, Lawrence, Newton, Northampton, Orleans, Somerville and Springfield.
Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, made the release Thursday evening. It said the executive order of second-term Republican President Donald Trump – Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens – requires the publishing of the list of state and local jurisdictions that obstruct enforcement of federal immigration law.
A release from Homeland Security says in part, “Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.”
The list was created, it says, “to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens.
“Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its noncompliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”
The release says the list will be updated regularly.
