What are Sanctuary Policies?
Sanctuary Policies are local and state policies that restrict local law enforcement officers, such as police and sheriff, from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
What are the Sanctuary Laws in CA?
California has passed three laws that interfere with the ability of federal agents to enforce immigration law, including the notorious SB 54, which limits "assistance with immigration enforcement to the fullest extent possible." SB 54 prohibits state and local officers from:
Asking an arrestee about their immigration status.
Participating in joint task forces with federal agents.
Honoring an ICE detainer request.
Notifying federal authorities before an illegal alien is released from custody.
Which States are Sanctuary States?
California
Colorado
Illinois
Massachusetts
New Mexico
Oregon
Vermont
source: Center for Immigration Studies
Currently, there are over 500 sanctuary jurisdictions across the country.
Has the federal government sued?
The Justice Department sued California over SB 54 and two other bills—AB 103, which allows the state to inspect detention facilities for illegal immigrants, and AB 450, which impedes enforcement at workplaces. In July, a federal judge dismissed most of the lawsuit. He rejected claims against SB 54 and AB 103, and a portion of AB 450. The judge allowed the case to proceed against provisions of AB 450 that allow the state to fine employers who do not reject requests by the federal government to enter their workplaces without a warrant.
Are Sanctuary Cities and States Dangerous?
Reckless sanctuary policies endanger the safety of our communities and obstruct immigration enforcement actions that can prevent further crime. Too many criminal illegal aliens have been released into American communities and gone on to commit crimes that could have been prevented had ICE been able to take the individuals into custody. Since California’s “sanctuary law” went into effect in January, thousands of illegal aliens wanted by ICE have been released. In the first four and a half months of 2018, just in San Diego County, the Sheriff released 349 aliens who were wanted by immigration officials.
Who Opposes Sanctuary Policy?
The California Police Chiefs Association stated, “SB 54 will make it more difficult to work with our federal law enforcement partners in apprehending dangerous criminals, and threatens to create more fear in our communities by forcing federal immigration operations out of our jails and into our communities.” Read More:
The California Police Chiefs Association Opposes SB54
Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Oppose Sanctuary Cities
Most California Sheriffs Fiercely Opposed the Sanctuary State Law
Fight Sanctuary State – “Californians ensuring the safety of their families, friends and neighbors:” https://fightsanctuarystate.com/don-rosenberg/
How is CAPS involved?
CAPS educates the public through sharing data, articles, blogs, social media, and ad campaigns. We also manage an alerts platform that allows citizens to reach out to their representatives on the many issues of sanctuary policy. CAPS emails and posts alerts to activists and the public to oppose sanctuary laws at the federal, state, and local level. Join us by entering your email here: Join CAPS
Click here for upcoming Alerts on Sanctuary Policy: Take Action
Click here to view our satirical take on Sanctuary City San Francisco: www.outlawsanctuarycities.com
Click here for information on Mandatory E-Verify – a policy that puts jobs first, for legal Americans: www.MandatoryEverify.com
Sanctuary Policy Myths & Myth Busters
Myth: Sanctuary cities and states keep our communities safe from criminal activity.
Myth Buster: Sanctuary statutes restrict our police departments from contacting ICE to remove dangerous criminals who then repeat heinous crimes in our communities. While some notorious crimes—such as the killing of Kate Stein after San Francisco rejected an immigration detainer request for an illegal alien with five felony convictions—receive great attention, they are but the tip of the iceberg. A total of 121 criminal aliens who were released by the Obama administration between 2010 and 2014 were subsequently charged with homicide. This does not include additional murders committed by those released by sanctuary jurisdictions.
Myth: Sanctuary jurisdictions only release illegal immigrants who have committed “non-serious” crimes.
Myth Buster: SB 54 allows the release of domestic violence offenders and drunk drivers, even those with three DUI convictions. Moreover, those released, whose very presence in this country is illegal, have gone on to commit numerous violent crimes. Remember, these aliens are being held for crimes other than immigration violations.
Myth: Sanctuary policies are constitutional.
Myth Buster: The United States Constitution gives the federal government exclusive authority to regulate immigration into America. State and local laws cannot preempt that power. Congress delegated to the President extremely broad authority under 8 USC §1373, which provides that “… a Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual.”