A recent study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has reportedly now revealed a significant increase in the number of jurisdictions in the United States that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
The report indicates that more than 1,000 localities, nearly doubling since 2018, have adopted policies obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts to enforce immigration laws.
According to FAIR, the total stands at 1,003 jurisdictions, which include Washington, D.C., and 17 states with statewide sanctuary policies.
This trend, which began as a relatively small movement, has expanded dramatically due to advocacy from open-border proponents. FAIR argues that these sanctuary policies undermine federal immigration law and pose threats to national security.
The growth in sanctuary jurisdictions has been tracked over the years, with only 11 jurisdictions adopting such policies prior to 2000.
By 2009, that number had increased to 40, and it surged to over 300 by 2016. In 2018, FAIR identified 564 jurisdictions as noncooperative.
The various policies adopted by these jurisdictions include prohibiting jails from complying with ICE detainer requests, restricting law enforcement from inquiring about the immigration status of individuals, and denying federal immigration officials access to local jails.
FAIR contends that these policies not only violate federal law but also conflict with the Constitution, which grants Congress authority over immigration matters.
The organization emphasizes that federal law should take precedence over any conflicting state legislation.
Some states have gone as far as providing legal defenses against deportation for illegal immigrants.
Notably, while an Egyptian national was plotting a firebombing attack in Colorado, lawmakers in the state advanced legislation that prevents local governments from sharing immigration data with federal authorities.
This law includes penalties for violations and allocates funds for a state-run deportation defense fund.
Conversely, 22 states have enacted laws banning sanctuary policies, thereby encouraging local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials.
Only West Virginia, Arkansas, and Montana have successfully eradicated sanctuary jurisdictions within their borders.
However, many localities in other states continue to defy these anti-sanctuary laws. FAIR specifically highlighted Georgia, North Carolina, and Iowa as states where local jurisdictions persist in shielding undocumented immigrants from federal law.
As the debate over immigration continues to intensify, the findings of this report underscore the growing divide within the nation regarding how to handle undocumented immigrants.
The implications for public safety and the enforcement of immigration laws remain contentious topics among policymakers and citizens alike, reflecting the ongoing struggle to find a balance between humanitarian concerns and national security.
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