On August 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released an updated list of jurisdictions designated as “sanctuary jurisdictions” pursuant to Executive Order 14287: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens. This order directs the federal government to identify and address jurisdictions with policies or practices that impede federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The newly released list includes four counties:
- Baltimore County, Maryland
- Cook County, Illinois
- San Diego County, California
- San Francisco County, California
This marks a sharp reduction from the more than 400 counties previously included in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) sanctuary jurisdictions list released on June 3, 2025. That earlier list was withdrawn just days after publication.
The DOJ’s announcement emphasized that the current list is not exhaustive and will be updated as further information becomes available. Importantly, the DOJ also noted that it stands ready to assist any jurisdiction seeking to identify and eliminate policies that qualify as sanctuary practices, with the goal of fostering greater alignment with federal immigration enforcement.
DOJ Criteria for Sanctuary Designation
The DOJ outlined several criteria for determining whether a city, county, or state qualifies as a sanctuary jurisdiction. These include:
- Public Declarations: Jurisdictions that publicly declare sanctuary status or intent to resist federal immigration enforcement.
- Obstructive Laws or Policies: Laws, ordinances, resolutions, or directives that limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Information Sharing Restrictions: Limitations on how local agencies share detainees’ immigration status with federal authorities.
- Prohibited Funding: Restrictions on using local funds or resources to support immigration enforcement.
- Non-Cooperation Training: Training employees or law enforcement to decline ICE information requests.
- ICE Detainer Limitations: Refusal to honor ICE detainers unless accompanied by a judicial warrant.
- Jail Access Restrictions: Requiring detainee consent before ICE agents can conduct interviews in detention facilities.
- Immigrant Affairs Offices: Creation of offices specifically tasked with assisting undocumented immigrants in avoiding federal enforcement.
- Provision of Federal-Like Benefits: Establishing local benefit programs—such as healthcare, food, or housing assistance—for individuals not lawfully present in the U.S., contrary to federal eligibility laws.
Next Steps
The National Association of Counties (NACo) is working to update its resources and seeks additional clarity from DOJ about the implications of this updated list, the process for removal, and what counties can expect moving forward. Counties currently listed—or those seeking to ensure alignment with federal policy—are encouraged to review their ordinances, policies, and programs in light of the criteria outlined.
NACo will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more information becomes available.