The Limits of Local Sanctuary Initiatives for Immigrants

In recent years, many local governments in the United States have declared themselves to be sanctuaries, welcoming jurisdictions, safe cities, or cities of refuge for immigrants. At the same time, federal rhetoric and associated national laws—which have legal precedence over local immigration policies—have shifted in anti-immigrant directions. These developments raise questions about whether and how local sanctuary policies affect immigrants’ lives, including their feelings of fear, their access to local services, and their interactions with law enforcement. This article draws on existing studies and new interview data from a pilot study of two sanctuary cities, Boston and Seattle, to evaluate the impacts of municipal sanctuary policies for immigrants, including their potential influences on immigrant and refugee integration. I also explore policy approaches that might enhance these policies’ effectiveness in achieving their supporters’ stated goals.