United States v. City of Rochester

A coalition of 49 cities, counties, and elected officials are pushing back against the Trump administration’s efforts to compel the city of Rochester to enforce its harmful immigration policies. Public Rights Project and Evergreen Legal Strategies filed an amicus brief on behalf of the coalition which shares Rochester’s goals of protecting the wellbeing of all residents.

This brief was filed in a case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, which aims to force Rochester to abandon its so-called “sanctuary policies.” In reality, Rochester’s approach is centered on prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of the community, not on using local resources to enforce federal immigration laws. The brief explains that the Constitution gives local governments — not the federal government — the authority to make decisions about their communities. 

Relying on the insights of nearly 50 local governments and elected officials, we highlight the real benefits of so-called “sanctuary policies:”

• They make communities safer by building trust between law enforcement and all residents, so people will report crimes and cooperate with police.
• They strengthen local economies because immigrants play a vital role in the workforce across many industries.
• They support public health by ensuring people can access medical care without fear, protecting community well-being.

Our brief explains why, under existing law, the court should deny the federal government’s request for judgment.