Lawrence, Kansas, and Douglas County have landed on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) list of “sanctuary jurisdictions,” sparking outrage from local leaders and civil rights advocates. The designation—posted online and quickly removed following backlash—signals that the Trump administration considers the region noncompliant with federal immigration policy.
The DHS list accuses cities like Lawrence of failing to fully cooperate with immigration enforcement. Yet officials say the city follows state and federal law. Lawrence passed a 2020 ordinance to protect undocumented residents, but updated it in 2022 after Kansas banned sanctuary cities.
Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister pushed back, saying DHS’s designation process “feels subjective,” while the National Sheriffs’ Association criticized the move as lacking clear standards.
Critics argue the Trump administration is using vague criteria to target communities seen as too tolerant of immigrants. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed the jurisdictions are “giving sanctuary to criminals,” despite data showing immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens.
The controversy reflects growing tension between local autonomy and federal immigration enforcement under Trump’s second term.
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