President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at penalizing so-called "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The directive, issued Monday, instructs federal officials to release within 30 days a list of state and local governments that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement, warning they could lose access to specific federal funding. The move underscores Trump’s commitment to tough immigration policies as he approaches his 100th day back in office.

According to the White House, the administration has made significant strides in curbing illegal immigration. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said there has been a 95 percent drop in encounters with undocumented migrants at the southern border, falling from 140,000 in March 2024 to just 7,000 in March 2025. She credited Trump with restoring law and order and reinforcing national sovereignty. The administration continues to link immigration enforcement with public safety, pointing to arrests of migrants accused of serious crimes such as murder and drug trafficking.

As part of Monday’s announcement, the White House lawn featured placards displaying mugshots of immigrants charged with crimes. An accompanying press release listed 100 individuals described as “the worst of the worst” criminal undocumented immigrants arrested since Trump resumed office.

Despite the administration’s claims of progress, legal hurdles remain. Federal courts have upheld protections for sanctuary jurisdictions, and a recent ruling blocked the government from withholding funds from local authorities offering limited cooperation with immigration enforcement. Critics argue that Trump’s policies risk violating constitutional rights, particularly when migrants are deported without due process.

In Congress, House Republicans are backing Trump’s efforts with a new bill that would allow him to impose steep fees on asylum applicants, including a minimum $1,000 charge. The administration has also designated violent Latin American gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as terrorist organizations and deployed military personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border.

However, deportation numbers remain below previous levels. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that around 500,000 individuals will be deported in 2025, fewer than the 685,000 deported during President Biden’s last full year in office.

Trump’s approval ratings have taken a hit, with a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll showing more than 40 percent of Americans strongly disapprove of his performance. Nonetheless, immigration remains a key pillar of his political agenda, and Monday’s executive order signals that the administration plans to double down on enforcement as it faces legal, political, and public scrutiny.