During a campaign rally in North Carolina, former President Donald Trump declared his intent to push for a nationwide ban on sanctuary cities if he is re-elected in 2024. His comments came as part of a larger conversation surrounding immigration, a key issue in the upcoming presidential election.
The New York Post reported that Trump vowed to work with Congress to pass legislation that would outlaw sanctuary cities across the United States and to deploy federal law enforcement to cities that fail to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Trump’s announcement took place on Saturday as he campaigned in North Carolina, a battleground state.
He outlined his plan to take immediate federal action against sanctuary cities, which are jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, particularly when it comes to detaining undocumented immigrants.
Sanctuary cities, which include major metropolitan areas, have been at the center of immigration debates for years. These cities typically decline to fully comply with federal requests to detain undocumented immigrants. Trump has long criticized these policies, accusing them of harboring criminals.
During his speech, Trump was clear about his intentions: “As soon as I take office, we will immediately surge federal law enforcement to every city that is failing, which is a lot of them, to turn over criminal aliens, and we will hunt down, capture every single gang member, drug dealer, rapist, murderer, and migrant criminal that is being illegally harbored.”
The former president's rhetoric has remained consistent with his past policies. Trump emphasized the need to target individuals involved in criminal activities, stating that localities refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement would face severe consequences.
Trump’s focus on crime and immigration is central to his 2024 campaign platform. He promised that if elected, he would seek to ensure that law enforcement authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are empowered to act decisively in areas that protect undocumented immigrants from deportation.
“I will ask Congress to pass a law outlawing sanctuary cities nationwide, and we demand the full weight of the federal government on any jurisdiction that refuses to cooperate with ICE,” Trump told the crowd.
His comments come at a time when immigration continues to be a contentious topic within both parties.
Republicans, in particular, have made immigration a focal point of the 2024 election, often highlighting concerns over crime and security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
However, not all of Trump’s comments have been well-received. During the same rally, Trump, along with GOP running mate JD Vance, made inaccurate claims about Haitian migrants in Ohio. The duo suggested that there had been an influx of Haitian migrants into Springfield, Ohio, which was quickly disputed.
These statements drew criticism from local Republicans, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “They’re very hurtful. It’s very hurtful to people. It’s hurtful to the people in Springfield, hurtful to the Haitians who are working every day,” DeWine responded.
The comments not only highlighted the divide within the Republican Party but also demonstrated how immigration-related issues can lead to political tension, even among allies.
Trump’s promise to ban sanctuary cities aligns with his hardline stance on immigration, which he has maintained since his first presidential campaign in 2016. Immigration continues to be one of the most significant issues in the 2024 election, with candidates from both parties proposing different solutions to address it.
Trump’s call for increased federal involvement in sanctuary cities has garnered strong support from his base, particularly among those who view such cities as undermining national security.
Nevertheless, the broader political landscape remains divided, with sanctuary city supporters arguing that these policies protect vulnerable communities.
If Trump succeeds in pushing through a nationwide ban on sanctuary cities, it could have widespread implications for local governments across the U.S. Sanctuary cities exist in states like California and New York, where local officials have resisted cooperating with federal immigration policies under both the Trump and Biden administrations.
Critics of Trump's proposal argue that it could further strain relations between local and federal governments. Proponents, however, see the potential for such legislation to strengthen national immigration enforcement and ensure that criminal activities involving undocumented immigrants are addressed promptly.
Trump's plan emphasizes the role of federal law enforcement in tackling issues related to undocumented immigrants, especially those involved in crime. His speech made clear that his administration, if elected, would prioritize immigration enforcement at the federal level, bypassing state and local policies that do not align with his vision.
This renewed push on immigration policy mirrors Trump's previous attempts during his presidency, where he enacted measures like the travel ban and sought to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. His rally speech reflects a continuation of these policies, with sanctuary cities now a primary target.
