Trump Administration Sues Los Angeles Over Sanctuary City Policies Amid Rising Immigration Tensions

The administration of President Donald Trump has filed a federal lawsuit against Los Angeles, accusing the city of obstructing federal immigration enforcement through its sanctuary city policies. The suit, lodged in U.S. District Court, argues that the city’s ordinance prevents local authorities from cooperating with immigration officials, creating what the administration calls a climate of “lawlessness” and defiance against national immigration laws.

At the heart of the dispute is Los Angeles’ long-standing sanctuary city ordinance, which restricts the use of city resources for federal immigration enforcement. The White House contends that this policy actively undermines efforts to address what it labels a “crisis of illegal immigration.” The lawsuit seeks to overturn the ordinance, calling it “illegal” and urging the court to block its enforcement entirely.

This legal action follows similar lawsuits brought by the Trump administration against other sanctuary jurisdictions, including New York, New Jersey, and Colorado, which have also limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Officials argue these policies interfere with the federal government’s authority to enforce immigration laws and deport undocumented immigrants.

Chad Mizelle, chief of staff to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, publicly reinforced the administration’s stance, stating, “We will keep enforcing federal immigration law in Los Angeles, whether or not the city’s government or residents agree with it.” His comments, posted on the platform X, emphasized the administration’s zero-tolerance approach to local interference.

The City of Los Angeles, however, stands firmly behind its ordinance. A spokesperson for City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said the law was “carefully drafted” to remain in full compliance with federal statutes and constitutional principles that safeguard the balance between federal and state powers. “Our city remains committed to standing up for our constitutional rights and the rights of our residents,” said spokesperson Ivor Pine.

Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, one of the key authors of the city’s sanctuary legislation, issued a sharp rebuttal on Monday. “Trump is tearing families apart,” he said. “He’s using fear to coerce cities and towns into helping him carry out mass deportations. We refuse to stand by and let Donald Trump deport innocent families.” Soto-Martinez vowed that Los Angeles would use every legal avenue to protect its immigrant communities.

The lawsuit comes amid a tense and increasingly volatile atmosphere in Southern California, where immigration raids have intensified over recent weeks. According to the court filing, federal agents have arrested hundreds of people since early June, sparking mass protests and widespread backlash. Demonstrations have flooded the streets of Los Angeles, with tens of thousands rallying against immigration raids and the deployment of National Guard and Marine units in the region.

In recent days, tensions escalated further as more than 100 individuals were arrested by Los Angeles police on various charges, ranging from assaulting federal officers with rocks to setting fire to Waymo self-driving cars, which had become unintended symbols of technological and governmental control during the protests.

The lawsuit specifically blames Los Angeles’ sanctuary policies for a breakdown in public order. “The practical upshot of Los Angeles’ refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities has, since June 6, 2025, been lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism,” the filing asserts.

To regain control during the height of the unrest, the mayor had imposed a citywide curfew, which remained in effect for several days. It was officially lifted on June 18, once the protests began to wane in intensity. Most of the demonstrations had been centered in a few key areas of downtown Los Angeles, particularly near government buildings housing both federal and local offices.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case is expected to test the boundaries of federal authority versus local autonomy, a debate that continues to divide political leaders across the country. With the Trump administration doubling down on immigration enforcement and Los Angeles reaffirming its stance as a sanctuary city, the outcome could shape the national dialogue on immigration for years to come.