A sanctuary city is a city that limits its cooperation with the national government’s effort to enforce immigration law. Leaders of sanctuary cities say they want to reduce fear of deportation and possible family break-up among people who are in the country illegally, so that such people will be more willing to report crimes, use health and social services, and enroll their children in school.
Unfortunately, it also means that they’re helping those seeking sanctuary break immigration law.
Sanctuary cities often refuse to hold undocumented immigrants in jail for ICE, refuse to share information about undocumented immigrants with ICE, or prohibit their law enforcement officers from asking about immigration status during routine stops.
Sanctuary cities may provide services to undocumented immigrants, such as access to health care, education, and housing, which takes taxpayer resources away from actual legal residents.
In many instances, sanctuary cities have increased crime because they become a safe haven for criminals. Additionally, it becomes a danger to public safety because many of the undocumented illegal immigrants have committed serious crimes.
So, where are the top sanctuary cities? Here’s the list:
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Austin
- Seattle
- Denver
Notice something? Beyond the fact that they are all Democratically run cities, they also have a significant amount of crime, homelessness, and other issues. In fact all of these cities make headlines on a regular basis because of the many problems that they encounter.
Perhaps if they decided to withdraw their sanctuary status, ICE could come in and do their job and law and order could take over. But, of course, that’s just crazy talk…right?
