On February 1, President Donald Trump plans to halt federal funding to sanctuary cities and states, jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. During a speech in Detroit, Trump claimed that these jurisdictions protect individuals he labels as criminals, thereby jeopardizing the safety of American citizens. This decision could potentially withdraw billions in federal revenue.

The U.S. Department of Justice has identified 12 states, including California, Illinois, and New York, along with several major cities, as sanctuary jurisdictions. Trump emphasized that the administration would not provide financial support to those endorsing sanctuary policies, which he argues contribute to crime and fraud.

Supporters of sanctuary laws contend that these policies encourage undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime to report incidents to law enforcement without fear of deportation. Critics, however, assert that such policies impede the deportation of violent offenders when local law enforcement declines to comply with federal detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The extent of the financial cuts remains uncertain, particularly regarding whether essential programs like Medicaid and food assistance would be exempt. Trump has previously threatened to withhold federal funds from jurisdictions opposing his policies, including threats to withdraw funding from cities labeled as 'anarchist jurisdictions' following civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd.

In recent months, the Department of Health and Human Services has frozen social services funding to several states due to concerns over fraud, affecting various assistance programs. This trend reflects a broader pattern of using federal funding as leverage in policy disputes, raising questions about the implications for vulnerable populations reliant on these services.

In parallel, the Trump administration has made substantial modifications to the immigration system, including changes to immigration custody rules and visa processing, which have instilled fear within immigrant communities nationwide. The average daily population in ICE custody has increased significantly, from less than 38,000 in fiscal year 2024 to nearly 65,000 in the current fiscal year.

Project 2025, a strategic framework associated with the Heritage Foundation, has influenced these changes, advocating for mandatory detention of immigrants with pending cases. Recent decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) have imposed stricter detention requirements and limited the ability of individuals in custody to obtain bond hearings.

The administration has expanded ICE’s detention capacity, including the use of tent facilities criticized for substandard conditions, with reports indicating at least 32 deaths in ICE custody in 2025. Additionally, ICE has increased its operational collaboration with immigration courts and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), making arrests in locations previously deemed sensitive, such as schools and hospitals.

Changes to visa processing have included heightened requirements for in-person interviews and biometric screenings, exacerbating existing backlogs. Fees for visa applications have also risen significantly, causing distress among applicants. The administration has ended temporary protected status for individuals from several crisis-affected countries, leading to thousands losing their immigration status.

Overall, the changes implemented under the Trump administration reflect a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, raising concerns about the humanitarian impact on affected communities.