San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, challenging its intensified crackdown on sanctuary cities. Chiu argues that the administration's immigration policies, rather than enhancing public safety, actually diminish it.
In a CNN interview, Chiu explained that the lawsuit, filed on behalf of San Francisco and other sanctuary cities, aims to protect their policies, which he believes foster trust between communities and law enforcement. This trust, he contends, encourages reporting of crimes, leading to arrests and safer communities. Conversely, he argues that undermining this trust through federal intervention has the opposite effect.
Chiu highlighted the Trump administration's continued efforts since 2025 to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities. He also pointed to the administration's directive for ICE to conduct arrests in these cities, including Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, and Washington, D.C. Chiu referenced a previous successful lawsuit against similar actions during Trump's first term, emphasizing the ongoing nature of this legal battle.
The lawsuit specifically addresses the perceived threat of federal enforcement of immigration policies within sanctuary jurisdictions. Chiu countered claims that these cities obstruct federal law enforcement, arguing that studies demonstrate lower crime rates in sanctuary cities and that the administration's narrative about harboring criminals is inaccurate.
He directly addressed the assertion that he is hindering the Trump administration's work, stating that the administration is disseminating misinformation about the actions of sanctuary cities. He cited studies indicating that immigrants commit fewer crimes and that sanctuary jurisdictions have not experienced increased crime rates.
