Sanctuary Cities Challenge Federal Authority Over Immigration Policy

In a recent opinion, the author maintains that genuine federalism respects the constitutional division of powers, allowing states to manage many domestic issues but not to interfere with immigration, which the Constitution assigns exclusively to Congress. While anti-commandeering doctrine prevents Congress from forcing state officials to enforce federal programs, the author notes that many sanctuary jurisdictions adopt measures designed to impede federal agents, conceal information, and thwart lawful immigration enforcement.

This, the piece argues, is not a legitimate exercise of local autonomy but an obstruction of national authority. The commentary highlights that uniform naturalization rules are essential for a cohesive political community and warns that allowing cities to nullify federal immigration law would erode democratic self-government. It concludes that conservative support for federalism should not extend to endorsing sanctuary policies that conflict with the nation’s sovereign powers.