No Valid Case for Sanctuary Cities

Is there a valid case for sanctuary cities? First, there is no legal basis for so-called sanctuary cities, those cities that shield illegal aliens from the law. Anyone who enters this country without proper authorization is committing a crime. The argument that as a nation we have a moral duty to accept anyone at any time for any reason from a foreign jurisdiction is a position that has no precedent in our law or even the traditions of this country. The justification for this argument lies in dubious political judgments founded on special interests in those who advocate such a position. Second, one of the arguments continually forwarded by those who advocate for sanctuary cities, is that if illegal aliens are not protected, they won’t cooperate with local law enforcement to report they are victims of crime for fear of deportation. Although boldly stated, there is no hard evidence this is the case. The Center for Immigration Studies noted that the Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) “...does not produce consistent results on this question over time; in some years [surveyed], Hispanics [often the ethnic group most talked about in regard to this issue] are more likely to report crime” and that “[o]ther research on the issue...has come to conflicting conclusions. Thus, it is very difficult to conclude that crimes committed by immigrants are going unreported.” Third, the current hysteria in some quarters over the possible deportation of so-called “law abiding “illegal aliens is false. The current administration has made no such policy or advocated such a policy. The emphasis by this administration has been to continue the push made by other administrations (including the Obama administration) to deport illegal aliens who commit major crimes. Finally, although statistics are all over the map on the number and extent of crimes committed by illegal aliens, no rational person reviewing the various studies in the area can deny that a substantial number of crimes are committed by illegal aliens. Thus, there is no rational basis for the continued existence of sanctuary cities. Federal immigration law should be enforced and local police should cooperate with ICE in doing so. Failing to do so should result in the prosecution of those who defy the law, civil liability to the persons or entities who allow victims of illegal aliens’ crimes and the defunding of such municipalities. And what about the defense of illegal immigrants? By turning a blind eye with our enforcement, we turn a blind eye with our justice system. We encourage major crimes on these people and victimize them...trafficking...slavery...no integration into our society so they can thrive and prosper. But more on that later.