HOBOKEN, N.J. (Diya TV) — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is pushing back hard against U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi after she sent a warning letter threatening the city with funding cuts and possible criminal charges over its sanctuary policies.
Bhalla issued an official response on Aug. 19, accusing Bondi of violating professional ethics by contacting him directly while the U.S. Department of Justice is suing Hoboken.
“Foremost, I am requesting that you immediately cease all direct communication with me regarding the subject of the litigation,” Bhalla wrote. “Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit you from directly communicating with represented parties about the subject of the representation.”
The mayor also took to social media, calling Bondi’s letter “a gross violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct.” He reaffirmed Hoboken’s identity, writing: “No amount of bullying from Washington will change who we are. Hoboken is, and always will be, a Fair & Welcoming City.”
Hoboken adopted its “Fair & Welcoming City” order to protect immigrant families and ensure equal treatment for all residents. The policy bars local officials from helping federal immigration authorities in ways that could lead to deportations.
Bondi’s letter demanded that Hoboken and other cities roll back such protections. Bhalla rejected the demand outright.
“We will not capitulate to your demand that we rescind our policies, and in this case, our morals and values,” Bhalla wrote in his response. “We will continue to support our immigrant population… and ensure that all people living in and visiting Hoboken are accorded equal rights under the United States Constitution.”
The dispute comes during a wider crackdown on sanctuary cities under the Trump administration. In May, the Justice Department sued Hoboken, Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson, arguing that their ordinances obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
The federal complaint cited the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, claiming local policies cannot override federal law. The suit asks the court to strike down protections that shield immigrant families from deportation. Hoboken’s “Fair & Welcoming City” order was listed as one of the measures the government seeks to block.
On Aug. 5, the Justice Department raised the pressure by releasing a list of sanctuary jurisdictions. Hoboken appeared on the list, alongside other cities accused of impeding enforcement. The announcement warned that those jurisdictions could lose federal funding unless they complied.
Days later, Bondi sent letters to dozens of mayors and county leaders. She gave them until Aug. 19 to prove compliance or face prosecution. The letter to Hoboken prompted Bhalla’s sharp rebuke.
Legal experts note that federal prosecutors rarely contact city officials directly when lawsuits are pending. Bhalla argues the move violated ethical standards. His response calls on Bondi to stop sending such communications.
Despite the threats, Bhalla insists Hoboken will not back down. He says the city’s sanctuary status reflects its values and its duty to protect all families.
“Hoboken will continue to be a Fair & Welcoming City,” he said. “We stand with our immigrant population, and we will not allow fear or intimidation to guide our policies.”
The clash highlights a growing battle between local governments and federal authorities over immigration enforcement. As the Justice Department presses its lawsuit, Hoboken remains firm in its refusal to change course.
For Bhalla, the fight is about more than policy—it is about the city’s identity. “Our morals and values will not be compromised,” he said.
