U.S. Attorney General Halts DOJ Funding to Sanctuary Cities, Raising Concerns for the U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. DOJ-administered grants for law enforcement and public safety are now suspended for non-compliant jurisdictions, putting over $6.6 million in USVI federal funding at risk as the territory continues its non-cooperative stance against ICE enforcement.

Newly sworn-in U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has issued directives to the Department of Justice to pause all DOJ-administered federal funding to sanctuary cities, marking a major shift in policy. The move is part of a broader strategy to enforce immigration laws more strictly, targeting jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts.

Bondi, who was confirmed by the Senate late Tuesday and sworn in on Wednesday, made this one of her first official actions in office. Her directive specifically targets sanctuary cities, which are local jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This includes major urban centers such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago, known for policies that restrict federal detainers on undocumented immigrants.