The attorney general is threatening criminal prosecutions of officials who refuse to cooperate with federal authorities, but "sanctuary" leaders aren’t backing down.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said federal immigration authorities plan to “flood” Boston in response to Mayor Michelle Wu’s refusal to dismantle the city’s sanctuary protections, as ordered by

The city of Boston is facing a Tuesday deadline to respond to a letter from the federal government regarding sanctuary city policies.

Places considered neutral spaces by immigrants such as schools, hospitals and emergency management agencies are now suspect, and agreements by local law enforcement to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement make them more vulnerable, choosing between physical safety or avoiding detention.

Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) strongly pushed back against the Justice Department's letter urging ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’ like Boston to comply with federal immigration enforcement. Speaking out, Markey declared,