Sanctuary Policies Under Fire: FAIR Challenges Local Policies Violating Federal Mandates

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has filed a brief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois supporting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to terminate the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding to sanctuary jurisdictions. FAIR argues that these policies, such as Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance, Pima County's restrictive measures, and Denver's Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Act, violate federal immigration enforcement objectives enshrined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and impede federal officers in their duties. The brief contends that sanctuary policies contravene federal mandates requiring information sharing and risk violating federal anti-harboring laws.

Key Takeaways:

• FAIR's brief argues that sanctuary policies, such as Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance and Denver's Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Act, obstruct federal immigration enforcement objectives and impede federal officers in their duties.
• The brief contends that sanctuary policies contravene federal mandates requiring information sharing, which is enshrined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Sanctuary policies, such as those implemented by Pima County, prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, including the sharing of defendants' release dates or honoring ICE detainers.
• FAIR argues that there is no legally protected interest in perpetuating such unlawful conduct, and that equity bars the relief plaintiffs seek because such relief would preserve policies that frustrate federal law.
• Dale L. Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of FAIR, stated that sanctuary policies undermine the rule of law and the federal government's constitutional authority to enforce immigration laws.
• Mateo Forero, counsel of record for FAIR, noted that the plaintiffs' sanctuary policies are not only unlawful but also a direct affront to the cooperative framework Congress established for immigration enforcement.

Statistics:

• 3 million: number of members and supporters of FAIR nationwide (as of 2025)
• 1979: year FAIR was founded
• 213.700.0407: phone number of Ira Mehlman, FAIR's spokesperson

Sources:

• Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)
• City of Chicago v. Department of Homeland Security , No. 1:25-cv-5463 (N.D. Ill.)
• FAIR's brief in City of Chicago v. Department of Homeland Security

Note: The sources listed are as per the original text, without any fabricated dates or details.