By Paul Bean and Guy Page
A much-publicized Dept. of Homeland Security list of sanctuary jurisdictions was taken down from X over the weekend, but DHS Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem assured a Fox News interviewer that “we absolutely do” have a list of targeted cities, counties and states.
On the initial statement on X Thursday night referred to a DHS website page that labeled the State of Vermont and the cities of Burlington, Montpelier, and Winooski as ‘Sanctuary Jurisdictions’ that would face federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
However, the page was taken down and the link now has a ‘page not found.’
Some jurisdictions deny being any kind of sanctuary to illegal immigrants. Also, the 3,000 member National Sheriffs Organization said the list was published without their knowledge and offers little direction on how sheriffs should proceed.
“DHS has done a terrible disservice to President Trump and the Sheriffs of this country,” the May 31 letter stated. “The President’s goals to reduce crime, secure the Borders, and make America safer have taken a step backward.”
Noem was asked about the list by Fox Business News program Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo, as reported by the SurvivetheNews.com:
“Do you have a list of the sanctuary cities that are actually hiding illegals right now? And how will you get to them if they are hiding them? Bartiromo asked.
“We absolutely do. The President put out an executive order that directed us to recognize these sanctuary cities and to cooperative with the Department of Justice and the Homeland Security. To identify them and how they are making our jobs much more difficult to keep America safe,” Noem said.
“Some of the cities have pushed back. They think because they don’t have one law or another on the books that they don’t qualify, but they do qualify. They are giving sanctuary to criminals,” Noem continued.
A White House executive order of April 28 says the federal government could take these actions sanctuary jurisdictions:
Cut grants and contracts to state and local government – The EO says the federal government shall “identify appropriate Federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions, including grants and contracts, for suspension or termination, as appropriate.”
Cut benefits to illegal aliens, including those routed through NGOS – “The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney General, shall develop guidance, rules, or other appropriate mechanisms to ensure appropriate eligibility verification is conducted for individuals receiving Federal public benefits within the meaning of 8 U.S.C. 1611(c) from private entities in a sanctuary jurisdiction, whether such verification is conducted by the private entity or by a governmental entity on its behalf.”
Stop enforcement of laws favoring illegal aliens over citizens – The EO also directs the federal government to “stop the enforcement of State and local laws, regulations, policies, and practices favoring aliens over any groups of American citizens that are unlawful, preempted by Federal law, or otherwise unenforceable, including State laws that provide in-State higher education tuition to aliens but not to out-of-State American citizens that may violate 8 U.S.C. 1623 or that favor aliens in criminal charges or sentencing.”
Governor Scott previously and over the weekend insisted that Vermont is in compliance with federal immigration law regarding sanctuary cities and states.
“Today, DHS issued a comprehensive list of sanctuary jurisdictions that are deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens,” wrote DHS on its X page. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. @POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”
The DHS list, prompted by Executive Order 14287 signed by President Trump on April 28, identifies states and local jurisdictions that fail to comply with federal immigration laws.
“Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities,” says the DHS website. “Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.”
Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, has policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as restricting local law enforcement from sharing information with ICE, aligning with the state’s overall illegal immigrant-friendly stance.
Vermont’s inclusion marks it as one of 15 entire states labeled as sanctuaries, alongside states like California, New York, and Massachusetts, potentially risking federal funding cuts under Trump’s executive order.
Historically, Vermont has supported immigrant rights, with a 2020 settlement between the state’s Attorney General and the Department of Motor Vehicles banning the sharing of migrant data with ICE after allegations of civil rights violations. Also, a 2017 prohibits law-enforcement from assisting ICE or Border Patrol immigrant apprehension, which is considered civil federal law. The 2017 law allows law enforcement to cooperate in matters of criminal law, for example apprehending an illegal immigrant suspected of violating the state’s criminal statutes.
U.S. Representative Becca Balint has emphasized Vermonters’ constitutional rights regardless of immigration status, offering resources for immigrants facing potential ICE actions amid heightened federal scrutiny.