Misguided Opposition to So-Called “Sanctuary Cities” Continues

From the Immigration Policy Center

Washington D.C. – Texas Governor Rick Perry announced that he plans to resurrect his proposal to crack down on cities that provide “sanctuary” to unauthorized immigrants, even though the Department of Homeland Security and other government officials have found that so-called “sanctuary cities” do not exist. Local police agencies regularly cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify and detain immigrants who commit crimes, so it’s hard to imagine why the Governor is looking for a solution without a problem.

What Perry is calling “santuary cities” are cities that have implemented community policing policies that prevent police agencies from asking community residents who have not been arrested to prove their legal immigration status. Based on the tenets of community policing, these policies make it safe for immigrant crime victims and witnesses to report criminals to the police and help put them behind bars.These policies make it easier for the police to do their jobs and make communities safer.

Debunking the Myth of “Sanctuary Cities” Community Policing Policies Protect Americans, written by Lynn Tramonte, responds to those who claim some cities are providing “sanctuary” to unauthorized immigrants and seek to abolish their community policing policies. In it, police officials and others explain why community policing policies are so critical to their work and to keeping American communities safe.

To view the paper in its entirety see:

Debunking the Myth of “Sanctuary Cities” Community Policing Policies Protect Americans (IPC Special Report, April 2011)