Monroe County Commissioners Push Back on Trump Administration’s ‘Sanctuary’ Label

Staff report

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 1, 2025 — The Monroe County Board of Commissioners is condemning the Trump administration’s decision to include the county on a federal list of so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions,” calling the move politically motivated and legally unfounded.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the list on Thursday in response to Executive Order 14287, which threatens to strip federal grant funding from local governments the administration accuses of defying federal immigration laws. Monroe County received more than $6.1 million in federal grant funding in 2024.

“As the daughter of an immigrant, this so-called ‘sanctuary jurisdictions list’ is nothing more than political theater by a president who views all immigrants, regardless of legal status, as villains,” said Monroe County Commissioners President Julie Thomas in a statement. “Monroe County follows the law and will continue defending its lawful policies. We will not be intimidated by a heavy-handed federal government that breaks its own immigration laws by deporting individuals with valid legal status.”

County officials maintain that their current policies—including those followed by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office—are fully compliant with the U.S. Constitution, including the Fourth Amendment, and do not violate any federal statutes.

Commissioner Lee Jones criticized President Trump’s rhetoric, which she said wrongly links local policy disagreement with a national security threat.

“The president outrageously equated a lack of local capitulation to draconian federal immigration policies with a ‘lawless insurrection,’” Jones said. “Local governments know how to keep their communities safe—and Monroe County will continue to promote the health and safety of its residents through inclusive local policies, even when the federal government fails.”

Commissioner Jody Madeira also pushed back on the administration’s narrative, saying the list has “nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with targeting and attempting to criminalize an entire group of people.”

“I am a strong believer in the values for which Monroe County stands, such as civility, tolerance, and respect, and will not be complicit in stigmatizing fellow human beings,” Madeira said.

County leaders emphasized that studies have shown undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens—contradicting claims that sanctuary policies endanger public safety.

Monroe County has not indicated it will change any local policies in response to the executive order and is exploring potential legal avenues should federal funding be withdrawn.

There is no public record indicating Donald J. Trump has ever visited Bloomington, Indiana.

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