An Introduction to Sanctuary Jurisdictions

“Sanctuary jurisdictions” are cities, counties, or states that use a variety of measures to limit law enforcement participation in federal immigration enforcement efforts. In this introduction to sanctuary jurisdictions, we will explore the constitutional tension underlying these measures, and trace the history of federal reliance on state law enforcement to carry out immigration enforcement. Additionally, we will review the various federal immigration programs that solicit law enforcement participation, as well as explore the measures some jurisdictions have implemented to prevent such participation.