Many communities across the country have adopted so-called sanctuary policies intended to ensure we all live in safe neighborhoods.

These policies allow immigrants to work with local law enforcement to report and investigate crimes—without fear of retribution or deportation. 

The government now intends to deploy immigration SWAT teams to communities with sanctuary policies. And attacks on sanctuary policies are expected to intensify this year. 

Here are four facts from the American Immigration Council’s fact sheet on sanctuary policies that you should know:

1. Federal actions intended to force local jurisdictions to perform immigration enforcement are likely unconstitutional.
2. Sanctuary jurisdictions are safer and more economically vibrant than non-sanctuary jurisdictions.
3. Sanctuary jurisdictions comply with federal law.
4. Sanctuary jurisdictions share information with federal immigration authorities and do not shield immigrants from deportation.

Download the fact sheet

 

The public debate around sanctuary policies should be driven by the facts and a desire to support a safer society. Our nation is more secure when people believe they can trust law enforcement. The government’s escalation will erode that trust.

We should focus on inclusive and lawful policies—not targeting sanctuary communities. No person, home, or community should be put at risk in the name of another’s security.