Do Sanctuary City Policies Increase Neighborhood Stability or Violent Crime Rates?

What Differentiates Sanctuary Cities From Other United States Cities?

Immigrants who have entered the United States without proper visas - or who have overstayed their visas and are at this point in violation of federal immigration laws - are protected against the enforcement of federal immigration laws. This may take several different forms.

In some cases, police officers and other law enforcement officials are required to specifically not inquire about an immigrant's current immigration status. In other cases, as is the currently the case in San Francisco, city employees are specifically prohibited from giving any assistance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during immigration investigations or even pending arrests.

In cities not designated sanctuary cities, local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement work together to deport undocumented immigrants who are running afoul of the system. At this time there are a large number of sanctuary cities across the United States and a list maintained by OJJPAC reveals that it is increasing steadily.

Why Do Local Officials Favor Sanctuary City Policies?

Most often the failure of immigrant communities to help local law enforcement to reduce crime is cited as a reason for embracing sanctuary city policies. In theory, the knowledge that a call to authorities will not result in potential recrimination to an undocumented immigrant may encourage the individual to be more proactive in contacting police when witnessing a crime. In the same vein, such an immigrant will testify in court if called, without fear of being deported.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom issued a press release in April of 2008 in which he pointed out that the goal of his sanctuary city policy is an increased stability of San Francisco communities as well as an overall commitment to healthy families and a healthy workforce.

Do Sanctuary City Policies Work?