Last week, the Trump administration lost two more sanctuary city cases, adding to a long list of similar defeats. They did manage to rack up a rare win in this area, one they secured because of an unusual connection to the Contracts Clause of the Constitution. The losses were well-deserved. The win raises some difficult issues, though I think ultimately the administration deserves to lose here, too, and perhaps appellate judges will see things that way.
"Sanctuary" jurisdictions are state and local governments that restrict their law enforcement agencies and other employees from assisting federal immigration enforcement and deportation efforts. Trump has suffered a long string of defeats in his efforts to coerce sanctuary cities and states into giving up their policies, going back to his first term.
