DC Mayor Scrubs Sanctuary City Status As Policy Shift Emerges

Mayor Muriel Bowser has taken another step away from D.C.’s sanctuary city stance, quietly removing a government webpage that once touted the district’s commitment to shielding illegal immigrants. This move signals a potential shift in how the city will handle immigration enforcement moving forward.

The page, previously home to statements from Bowser’s administration, was created after the 2016 election as a response to President Donald Trump’s push to crack down on sanctuary cities. Bowser had proudly declared D.C. would resist federal immigration enforcement, allocating public funds to help illegal immigrants fight deportation.

Now, Bowser is backing away from that language, saying she no longer uses the term “sanctuary city” because it gives the false impression that D.C. is a safe haven for those who violate immigration laws. “You are vulnerable to federal immigration enforcement,” she admitted last month when asked about the city’s current stance.

This change comes as Bowser focuses on other political battles, such as defending D.C.’s economy amid job losses in the federal sector. It also follows increasing scrutiny on Democrat-led cities that have embraced sanctuary policies only to struggle under the financial and public safety burdens they create.

Bowser’s new approach remains unclear. While D.C. has a local law that limits cooperation with ICE, her comments suggest she may be less willing to clash with federal authorities on immigration issues. She recently told Congress that her administration “will follow the law” regarding ICE detainers — an answer that suggests a more cautious stance compared to past years.

With crime, economic downturns and public frustration mounting, Bowser appears to be recalibrating her priorities — potentially at the expense of the city’s long-standing sanctuary city policies.

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