Boston, Cambridge, Providence, and Portland, Maine were among the municipalities, counties, and states throughout New England and the nation, identified as “lawless” sanctuary jurisdictions deliberately flouting federal immigration laws, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement Thursday evening.
A list of dozens of localities in 36 states, including all six states in New England, was released with the statement.
In Massachusetts, 13 of the state’s 14 counties are listed, with Hampden County the lone exception. Cities with high immigrant populations, such as Chelsea and Lawrence, and progressive cities, such as Northampton and Somerville, according to the list.
Hanover and Lebanon in New Hampshire, and Burlington in Vermont were also on the list.
Each jurisdiction will be formally notified of its non-compliance and potential violations of federal criminal law, federal authorities said.
“We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law,” Noem’s statement said. “President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first.”
The noncompliant jurisdictions will be ordered to immediately review and revise their policies “to align with federal immigration laws” and will be required to “renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens,” the statement said.
On April 28, Trump issued an executive order giving Noem and US Attorney General Pam Bondi authority to identify the “lawless jurisdictions” that “refuse to cooperate” with federal immigration laws and hold them accountable.
This story will be updated.
Tonya Alanez can be reached at tonya.alanez@globe.com. Follow her @talanez.
