Sanctuary Cities

 

I had some understanding of Sanctuary cities, but I realized that I needed to do more research to better understand.  I had no idea of the events that would occur during the time I spent researching, and ultimately, I decided it was something important to share.

Initially, the idea of Sanctuary came from churches, trying to help people fleeing from wars--In Salvador in the 1980s when 75,000 were killed, and in Guatemala where 200,000 were killed.

What followed was San Francisco in 1985, when the issue of using city funds to assist immigrants arose.  

It was not long before other states and cities had their own issues.  The legal justification of Sanctuary Cities used the framework of State Sovereignty, allowing local governments    their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement without violating Federal Law, based on the idea of the balance between Federal and State government under the U.S. Constitution.  

Courts have upheld the legality of local jurisdictions having the right to establish their own immigration policies without federal interference.  Not everyone agrees, some believing such policies undermine federal immigration laws.

Very few of us can overlook that our ancestors were immigrants, often not far in the past.  Immigrants have contributed to our culture and continue to do so.  However, does that mean we should open our doors to everyone.  In 2024 the number of individuals who became American citizens were 818,500.  However, current statistics report that between October 2019 and June of 2024 eleven million illegals arrived. although the exact number is uncertain.  Entirely locking the door to immigrants is impossible, for jobs are often done by immigrants because Americans cannot or will not do them.

My research for this blog has shown me many things, but few answers, but here are a few.

1. The U.S. Constitution has held that the federal government cannot compel state and local governments to enforce U.S. immigration laws.

2.  Each State has its own state constitution, which serves as a foundational document of their laws.

3.  States possess the fundamental power to create, implement, and enforce the rights of citizens.

Today the disagreements between states and the U.S. Government are embattled.

The current challenge is that Federal statutes provide different mechanisms for bringing National Guards under federal control with no simple statuary law.  As an example, Rule 12406 is ambiguous, "one part appears to let the president act unilaterally, while another provision suggests orders should be issued through the governors, creating a conflict." 

While rights of authority are uncertain, simple but very important laws continue unresolved issues.    One important example is the wearing of masks. Some states have or are about to pass laws to prohibit law enforcement officers from hiding their ideates.  The New York City Bar Association argues that masks hide accountability.  

My efforts to better understand many important issues has succeeded in terms of a better understanding. However, the problems remain.  It would seem that the benefit of unbiased, educated, experienced people would be best qualified to work on addressing these problems. Ordinary Americans may not be able to draft changes, but they can and are making their feelings known.