Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Tuesday rejected a U.S. Department of Justice demand that the city dismantle its sanctuary-style limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Standing outside City Hall, Wu said Boston "will not back down" and urged federal officials "to stop attacking our cities to hide your administration’s failures,” arguing the city’s Trust Act is lawful and central to keeping Boston “the safest major city in America.” The clash follows an Aug. 13 letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi that gave Boston and 31 other jurisdictions until Aug. 19 to submit a plan showing “immediate initiatives” to comply with federal immigration enforcement. The letter warned that non-compliance could prompt lawsuits, the withholding of federal grants or even criminal charges against officials deemed to obstruct enforcement. In a written reply delivered Tuesday, Wu said Massachusetts law restricts local participation in federal immigration actions and that Boston’s policies strengthen public safety by encouraging trust between immigrant communities and police. She indicated the city is prepared to defend its ordinance in court and noted the Justice Department did not cite any specific local measure it views as unlawful. Boston’s position aligns it with other large cities and states—including Philadelphia and Washington—that have also resisted the administration’s effort to compel broader cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The dispute sets the stage for a wider legal battle over the limits of federal authority and the future of sanctuary policies nationwide.