Laura Glesby file photo
Inauguration Day protest outside City Hall.
(Opinion) Local government is at the center of a contentious national conversation about immigration.
Many cities across the United States, including New Haven, have adopted sanctuary policies, limiting the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration policy. These orders are not just acts of political defiance; they are deeply rooted in constitutional principles, practical governance and the need to build trust between local authorities and the communities they serve.
The legal foundation for sanctuary cities is grounded in the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects state and local governments from being commandeered by the federal government to enforce federal laws. The Supreme Court reaffirmed this principle in the 1997 case Printz v. United States, where it ruled that the federal government cannot compel local officials to carry out federal regulatory programs.
This decision reinforces the autonomy of local governments to determine how best to allocate their resources. When it comes to immigration, sanctuary policies allow cities to focus on their primary responsibilities — ensuring public safety and fostering trust within their communities — without being diverted to assist federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The practical benefits of sanctuary policies are equally compelling. One of their primary goals is to foster trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. When residents fear that any interaction with local authorities could lead to deportation, they are far less likely to report crimes, serve as witnesses or seek help in emergencies.
This erosion of trust undermines public safety for everyone in the community. By maintaining a clear separation between local policing and federal immigration enforcement, sanctuary cities create an environment where all residents feel safe engaging with law enforcement.
This issue is not just theoretical; it has real-world implications.
During my time as a volunteer firefighter in Fayetteville, N.C., in 2021, I saw firsthand how fear can disrupt the critical work of first responders. My team responded to a car crash involving four Spanish-speaking individuals. Despite our role as firefighters, not police, they were visibly afraid to interact with us.
Their hesitation to communicate or accept help made it more difficult for us to assess the situation and provide the necessary assistance. This experience underscored how deeply the fear of authority can impact public safety. By fostering trust, sanctuary policies not only support law enforcement but also ensure that all first responders can effectively do their jobs.
Critics of sanctuary policies often argue that they lead to higher crime rates, but research consistently disproves this claim. Studies from institutions such as the University of California, Riverside and the libertarian Cato Institute have shown that sanctuary jurisdictions experience either similar or lower crime rates compared to non-sanctuary areas. A 2017 study found that sanctuary counties had 35.5 fewer crimes per 10,000 people than non-sanctuary counties. This makes sense: when residents trust local authorities, they are more likely to cooperate with investigations and report criminal activity, contributing to safer and more stable communities.
It is also important to note that sanctuary policies do not prevent federal agencies from carrying out immigration enforcement. These policies simply ensure that local governments are not compelled to use their resources to enforce federal immigration laws. Immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of federal agencies like ICE, which have the resources and manpower to fulfill their mandates. Sanctuary policies allow local governments to focus on their priorities, such as combating violent crime and addressing the specific needs of their communities.
The broader conversation about immigration enforcement highlights the importance of federalism and the role of local governments in shaping their communities. Sanctuary policies are a reflection of constitutional principles, practical governance and a commitment to public safety. They demonstrate how local governments can balance the needs of their residents with the broader responsibilities of federal immigration enforcement, ensuring that trust and safety remain at the forefront.
As the national debate over immigration continues, cities like New Haven offer a blueprint for navigating these complex challenges. By upholding constitutional protections, fostering trust, and prioritizing public safety, sanctuary policies represent a practical and principled approach to governance. They ensure that local governments can remain focused on building stronger, safer and more inclusive communities — values that benefit everyone.
Matthew Watson is a father of five, a resident of Beaver Hills, an Army veteran and a member of the Ward 28 Democratic Town Committee. He is currently a law student at Northeastern University School of Law and a graduate student in government and political communication at Johns Hopkins.