SANCTUARY POLICIES
I will assess, analyze and review sanctuary policies in American cities. Cities across America adopted sanctuary policies in response to the Illegal Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The Illegal Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, adopted in 1996, requires local governments to assist the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency identifying illegal immigrants. In response to this Act, cities enacted sanctuary policies that would protect illegal immigrants. The policies allow local government authorities to forego notification to the federal government about illegal aliens living in the community.
Some cities across the United States have adopted Sanctuary polices by passing laws that specifically provide instruction regarding notification of illegal immigrants. Other cities have not adopted sanctuary policies but do not have a written law addressing the issue. In the cities where formal policies have been adopted, illegal immigrants are authorized to take advantage of public benefits offered by the government. Chicago, Illinois, San Francico, California and Katy, Texas have formal written sanctuary policies. Other cities have adopted informal sanctuary policies. Although these informal policies are not written in law, the local government provides support to these informal policies. Governments that adopt sanctuary policies do so to protect the rights of immigrants, to ensure safety in community policing, and to support powerful lobbying groups. Those opposed to sanctuary policies allege that the policy inhibits law enforcement.
Sanctuary policies have significant political, social and economic implications. Local governments are acting directly against federal law in establishing sanctuary policies. In order for consistency in American public policy and to adequately address illegal immigration, sanctuary policies either need to be eliminated and mandated to be formally written.
References
Salvi, S. (2006). The Orginal list of Sanctuary Cities, USA. Retrieved from Ohio Jobs & Justice PAC: http://www.ojjpac.org/sanctuary.asp
