What are "sanctuary cities" known for?

Sanctuary cities are known for limiting their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These cities typically adopt policies that prioritize local law enforcement resources for community safety rather than immigration enforcement. As a result, they may choose not to notify federal authorities when undocumented immigrants are arrested or to refrain from detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status.

This approach is often rooted in the desire to build trust within immigrant communities, encouraging individuals to report crimes and access services without fear of deportation. While some may falsely assume that sanctuary cities have no immigration-related policies, the essence of their designation reflects a conscious decision to separate local law enforcement efforts from federal immigration enforcement activities.