The term “sanctuary city” has become a frequent topic of discussion, especially in recent times. Despite the lack of a precise legal definition, numerous cities and states across the United States have implemented policies limiting the collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. This includes not sharing immigration status information and restricting the duration of immigration detainers. This article delves into the concept of sanctuary cities with a focus on Florida’s stance.
A sanctuary city is characterized by its policy of discouraging local law enforcement from reporting the immigration status of individuals unless serious crimes are involved, as noted by Global Refuge. These jurisdictions typically do not comply with ICE requests to detain undocumented immigrants for minor offenses. They have various legal frameworks, such as laws and ordinances, that obstruct immigration enforcement and protect individuals from ICE, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
An immigration detainer is a request from ICE asking federal, state, or local agencies to notify them before releasing a noncitizen and to hold them for up to 48 hours. This allows ICE to take custody of individuals in line with federal immigration laws. Through data sharing between the Department of Justice, DHS, and local agencies, biometric information of arrested individuals is sent to ICE to identify those eligible for deportation. When local agencies do not honor these detainers, ICE officers must make more dangerous and at-large arrests in communities.
Florida has no sanctuary cities or counties. In 2019, Senate Bill 168 was enacted, making sanctuary policies illegal statewide. Governor Ron DeSantis stated the bill prevents illegal individuals from committing crimes and returning to communities, eliminating what he described as “law-free zones.” Critics argued this measure could negatively impact immigrant families. The bill requires law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials and prohibits sanctuary policies. It also lays out procedures for handling individuals with immigration detainers and mandates agreements with federal agencies for housing costs.
The closest sanctuary jurisdictions to Florida include New Orleans, Louisiana; Atlanta, Georgia; and several counties in Georgia and South Carolina. Nationally, some states identify as sanctuaries, with 13 states, including California and New York, having policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Florida is among the states with stringent anti-sanctuary laws, joining Georgia, Iowa, Texas, and West Virginia. These states enforce local agency involvement in deportations. Conversely, Oregon and Illinois have laws deemed protective of immigrants. Former President Donald Trump campaigned on mass deportations, which experts say could affect 1.1 million undocumented individuals in Florida—5% of its population.
The concept of sanctuary cities dates back to 1971 when Berkeley, California, became the first in the U.S. to enact such a resolution, protecting Vietnam War deserters.
Florida’s legislative actions against sanctuary cities underscore a commitment to strict immigration enforcement. While sanctuary policies aim to protect undocumented immigrants, Florida’s laws reflect a trend towards rigorous state involvement in federal immigration processes. The impact of such policies continues to stir debate, balancing community safety concerns with the rights and protections of immigrant populations.
Source: News-journalonline
