What Are “Sanctuary States” and Which States Have “Sanctuary Status”?

In the United States, several states, counties, and cities have adopted what are known as “sanctuary policies.” Such policies vary and take many forms, but they are generally written and enacted to promote more trust and cooperation between immigrants (regardless of immigration status) and law enforcement. Some areas of the country promote and enact sanctuary policies because they believe that these rules and allowances protect public safety, streamline the local government’s ability to allocate resources, and reduce the liability of local law enforcement related to the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Within the United States, 11 out of 50 states have declared sanctuary status, and the District of Columbia is also a sanctuary jurisdiction. The majority of jurisdictions within the U.S. that have declared themselves sanctuaries came about after 2000.

 Immigrant Rights in Sanctuary Jurisdictions

Examining which states abide by sanctuary policies and what protections immigrants may have can help them better navigate life in the U.S.

 California

In October 2017, California became a sanctuary state and is the most populous state in the nation. However, as many as 16 cities in the Sunshine State have filed lawsuits against sanctuary policies and passed their own local ordinances contrary to the state’s sanctuary policies. So, immigrants should be aware of the areas in the state where they have protections.

 Colorado 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are prohibited by state sanctuary legislation to enter courthouses and make arrests of non-citizens.

 Connecticut

Under the state’s sanctuary policies, state and local law enforcement may not honor most ICE immigration detainers.

 Illinois

In 2017, Illinois became a sanctuary state and one of the largest in the country. Under the sanctuary laws, alien detention centers are banned, local law enforcement is prohibited from cooperating with ICE officials, there is limited immigration enforcement in the public schools and universities, libraries, courthouses, and hospital systems.

 Massachusetts

In 2017, Massachusetts became a sanctuary state, which led to an increase in the non-citizen population, and the town of Cambridge has laws that stop police from arresting non-citizens for driving without a license.

 New Jersey

In 2019, New Jersey’s sanctuary city’s policies went into effect as a result of a directive issued in 2018 by Gruibir Grewal, the Attorney General at the time. Although, there has been pushback from some towns in the state against the executive action by Attorney Gen. Grewal.

 New York

In 2017, New York became a sanctuary state and does not allow state and local law enforcement to honor ICE immigration detainers. Additionally, non-citizens are able to obtain driver’s licenses.

 Oregon

Oregon was the first sanctuary state to obtain the status in 1987. Public resources may not be used to arrest non-citizens if they have committed no crimes other than violations of U.S. immigration laws.

 Rhode Island

Executive state agencies and state departments of corrections have been directed to cease honoring federal immigration detainers without a court order.

 Vermont

In 2011, Vermont became a sanctuary state, and the Department of Motor Vehicles indicated that it would not report non-citizens to federal authorities.

 Washington

In 2017, Washington became a sanctuary state and does not allow local jails to hold non-citizens on ICE detainers.

 District of Columbia

In 1984, the U.S. capital city was declared a sanctuary jurisdiction, and ICE does not have to be notified of the release dates of non-citizens held in detention.

 Speak with an Atlanta Immigration Attorney Today

For a consultation to discuss your immigration needs and case, please call Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. at 404-523-3611. One of our Atlanta, GA, immigration lawyers is here to help.

Source:

illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/rights-of-the-people/civil-rights/immigration/