Stephen Miller Delivers Stark Warning To Sanctuary Cities On Legal Exposure

In a bold move, Stephen Miller, senior adviser to President Donald Trump, has sent a stern letter to sanctuary jurisdiction leaders across the United States, cautioning them about the severe legal consequences of their policies. The letter, sent through his legal organization America First Legal (AFL), warns that officials may face both criminal and civil liability if they continue to shield illegal immigrants from federal authorities.

Miller emphasized in the letter that sanctuary policies violate federal law, specifically laws that mandate the deportation of illegal immigrants. He stressed that providing sanctuary or obstructing federal enforcement could lead to criminal prosecution. “Concealing or harboring illegal immigrants is a federal offense,” the letter asserts, urging local officials to reconsider their actions.

In addition to criminal liability, Miller’s letter warned of significant financial penalties. The AFL argued that sanctuary jurisdiction policies could result in lawsuits from victims of crimes committed by individuals protected under these policies. Local officials could be held financially accountable under federal law if it can be shown that their actions contributed to harm caused by sanctuary-protected individuals.

Miller’s legal team further pointed out that federal conspiracy laws could apply to officials who are involved in or support sanctuary policies, even if they don’t directly shield immigrants. This suggests that there could be far-reaching implications for those responsible for enforcing sanctuary laws, extending beyond individual liability to institutional consequences.

The letter also reminded sanctuary leaders of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which gives precedence to federal law over state or local laws. This, Miller’s team argues, makes sanctuary policies not only dangerous but potentially illegal, as they undermine the authority of federal immigration enforcement.

California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, quickly responded to the letter, arguing that Senate Bill 54 protects sanctuary jurisdictions from federal immigration enforcement. He reiterated that the law does not prevent federal authorities from carrying out their own actions but does limit the role of state and local authorities in assisting them. This counterargument highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal immigration laws.

The letter’s conclusion included a quote from former President Theodore Roosevelt, reinforcing the idea that no individual, including public officials, is exempt from the law. “No man is above the law,” it reminded, underscoring the importance of adhering to federal legal standards in the realm of immigration enforcement.

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