John Fabbricatore
The House Oversight Committee is investigating the policies of sanctuary jurisdictions in Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City. These cities, which refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, claim they are protecting immigrant communities. However, their policies have far-reaching consequences that hinder federal law enforcement’s ability to combat crime effectively.
I spent more than two decades working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its predecessor, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. I’ve seen firsthand the essential role that cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement plays in protecting communities. By refusing to participate in civil immigration enforcement or assisting federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws, sanctuary cities are creating significant barriers to maintaining public safety.
For example, Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance prohibits the Chicago Police Department from assisting ICE in civil immigration operations. Mayor Brandon Johnson recently said: “The Welcoming City Ordinance is a law, and it is the law of the land here in Chicago,” vowing to uphold it to ensure immigrant communities feel safe.
While the intent may seem noble, the practical implications of such an ordinance paint a troubling picture. Sanctuary policies effectively allow dangerous people to evade ICE and continue committing crimes across the country.
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Sanctuary cities hinder ICE’s ability to apprehend and remove people who pose threats to American communities. Consider the crimes committed by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, or TdA. Many people have seen the video of TdA terrorizing an apartment in Aurora, Colorado. This transnational criminal organization, which President Joe Biden’s administration placed sanctions on last year, has ties to human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering.
A recent raid on a TdA party in Colorado led to the arrest of 49 people, » Read More
https://www.heritage.org/border-security/commentary/sanctuary-cities-pose-unacceptable-risk-public-safety