Palm Springs, CA

In a sweeping move that follows up on a controversial executive order, the Trump Administration has officially listed Palm Springs and Cathedral City among more than 500 “sanctuary jurisdictions” that could soon face federal penalties. This includes a surprising mix of liberal strongholds and conservative cities, such as Republican-led Huntington Beach, which has pushed back against its inclusion.

The list stems from Executive Order 13768, titled “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens,” issued on April 28. It targets cities, counties, and states that the administration believes are obstructing federal immigration law enforcement by limiting cooperation with immigration officials or restricting the sharing of information with federal authorities.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, jurisdictions were evaluated based on whether they self-identified as sanctuary cities, their level of compliance with immigration enforcement, and any policies limiting cooperation with federal agents.

Palm Springs formally declared itself a sanctuary city in February 2019. The City Council approved the resolution in a 4-1 vote, with Mayor Robert Moon casting the lone dissenting vote. At the time, Mayor Pro Tem Geoff Kors emphasized that the resolution was largely symbolic. “This doesn’t change anything in our existing law,” Kors stated, underscoring the city’s intent to make a political and humanitarian statement rather than enact new legal provisions.

The Trump administration’s list includes 63 jurisdictions in California alone. Still, its methodology has raised eyebrows — and some ire. Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns, a Trump supporter, called the city’s inclusion a “misprint” or “grave error.” He told Voice of OC that Huntington Beach does not consider itself a sanctuary jurisdiction and was bewildered by the designation.

Interestingly, only two counties in Southern California — Orange and Kern — were left off the list. Their exclusion sets them apart in a region otherwise heavily flagged by the federal government.

Under the executive order, each named jurisdiction will receive official notice of their inclusion. If they “remain in defiance,” the order authorizes the U.S. Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to pursue “legal remedies and enforcement measures” to ensure compliance. This could range from funding cuts to potential lawsuits.

While the practical impact of the list remains to be seen, its political implications are clear. The Trump Administration continues to push its hardline stance on immigration, casting a wide net over cities and counties that prioritize local autonomy and immigrant protections — even when those cities include unexpected conservative allies.