
<a href="https://reason.com/2025/07/31/on-sanctuary-cities-its-trump-vs-the-10th-amendment/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
The Trump administration is tackling the controversial issue of sanctuary cities head-on, filing lawsuits against places like Los Angeles and Illinois. The goal? To force these communities to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. But here’s the kicker: they might be fighting an uphill battle, thanks to some heavy-hitting legal precedents set by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. His rulings from the ’90s have a way of making things complicated for those looking to impose federal will on local matters.
In a nutshell, Scalia laid down the law that the federal government can’t just yell “jump” and expect states to ask “how high?” Local authorities, according to Scalia, have the right to say, “not today, buddy.” This doctrine is right at the center of the legal tug-of-war surrounding sanctuary policies, which some view as vital protections for immigrants while others see them as a refusal to enforce federal laws. It’s a real case of legal tug-of-war, leaving us all to wonder who’s really going to win this round.
The recent legal triumphs by sanctuary cities suggest that the Tenth Amendment is riding shotgun in this contentious drive. Courts have ruled that states can decide not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, putting a significant roadblock in Trump’s plans. So, what does this mean for the future of immigration enforcement? Will the Trump administration find a way around these legal hurdles, or is this the start of a whole new chapter in federal-state relations?
This legal drama keeps us on the edge of our seats, proving once more that when it comes to law, it’s never straightforward. And hey, if the cats are fighting, why not grab some popcorn and enjoy the show? What’s your take on the rising legal boundaries between state and federal powers?
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