‘Does not merit a response’: McKee reacts to arrival of Bondi immigration enforcement deadline

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent an August 13 letter to Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee asking for state compliance with federal immigration enforcement polices with a deadline of today, August 19, to confirm commitment.

The letter to McKee and Attorney General Peter Neronha said a review of Rhode Island determined that the state “engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States.”

The letter continued: “This ends now. By Tuesday, August 19, 2025, please submit a response to this letter that confirms your commitment to complying with federal law and identifies the immediate initiatives you are taking to eliminate laws, policies, and practices that impede federal immigration enforcement.”

When reached for comment on the letter and the arrival of the deadline, Governor McKee stated, in full:

This generic, non-specific form letter lacks any meaningful detail and does not merit a response.

The letter stated that prosecution of violations of federal immigration law would be carried out, along with potential civil actions.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha also responded to the arrival of his federal counterpart’s deadline:

“This letter does not change my view: it’s the tactic of a bully. And the only way to deal with a bully is to let them know that they’re not going to intimidate you,” said Neronha. 

“Rhode Island cooperates with all federal law enforcement agencies routinely, as required by federal law. Federal law does not require the state to divert important law enforcement resources to do the federal government’s civil immigration law bidding. If the Trump Administration takes issue with this, then the doors of federal court are open to them. Until that point, my focus is elsewhere.”