Louisville, Kentucky, is walking back a key immigration policy after the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a stark legal threat, warning that the city’s practices placed it in direct conflict with federal law and could expose it to serious consequences.
Mayor Craig Greenberg, a Democrat, confirmed the dramatic shift in a letter to the DOJ on Monday, revealing that the city would now comply with federal immigration detainers—effectively abandoning its so-called “sanctuary” stance.
The move follows pressure from the Trump administration’s DOJ, which had accused Louisville of obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by ignoring its requests to hold illegal immigrant suspects in local jails.
Greenberg’s letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, made it clear the city’s policy change is aimed at avoiding litigation and federal penalties.
“The city will, therefore, adjust its detainer policy to avoid litigation over DOJ’s allegations of federal preemption,” Greenberg wrote to Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.
Under the new policy, Louisville will return to its pre-2017 standard of honoring ICE detainers for up to 48 hours.
Prior to this reversal, local authorities provided only five to 12 hours’ notice to ICE, often releasing individuals from custody before federal agents could detain them.
Sanctuary cities are jurisdictions—including cities, counties and sometimes entire states—that limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Policies can vary widely, but many involve declining to honor ICE detainer requests unless a warrant is issued.
Supporters argue that sanctuary policies foster trust between immigrant communities and local police, but critics contend they allow potentially dangerous individuals to evade federal law and re-enter communities.
The DOJ had previously warned that cities refusing to honor ICE detainers could face frozen federal funds and lawsuits—consequences that appear to have forced Louisville’s hand.
Detainer notices are a critical tool used by ICE to request that local jails hold individuals identified as potential illegal immigrants.
Sanctuary cities often refuse to comply, allowing suspects to walk free before federal officers can act.
Louisville Metro Department of Corrections had been operating under the more lenient policy, enabling the release of suspects ICE was actively seeking to apprehend.
The DOJ viewed the practice as a threat to national immigration enforcement efforts, according to Fox News.
The policy reversal comes just hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly acknowledged the shift.
In a post on X, Bondi applauded the development while warning other jurisdictions of the consequences of continued defiance.
“This should set an example to other cities,” Bondi said. “Instead of forcing us to sue you—which we will, without hesitation—follow the law, get rid of sanctuary policies, and work with us to fix the illegal immigration crisis.”
The DOJ has launched similar actions in cities across the country, including New York, Chicago and several in Colorado.
While judges have yet to issue rulings in the ongoing cases, the legal challenges appear to be influencing immigration enforcement policies in several jurisdictions.
Louisville’s decision marks a notable shift in response to federal pressure over sanctuary city policies.
Whether other cities will adopt similar changes remains uncertain, but the DOJ has made its position clear: jurisdictions are expected to comply with federal immigration detainer requests or face potential legal consequences.
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