The Importance of Separation Ordinances
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This week, Minneapolis saw how an environment of out-of-control immigration enforcement casts suspicion on all law enforcement activities, prompting community outcry. No one wins - not the terrorized community and not the law enforcement agencies trying to investigate serious violent crime. Separation ordinances are one solution. The Advocates has released a policy brief exploring why these ordinances are central to effective public safety and cohesive communities. Learn more below:
Some local governments in Minnesota have separation ordinances or policies that prohibit the collection of immigration status when not legally required and that prohibit the use of local law enforcement resources in actions carried out solely to detect, arrest, or detain a person based on their immigration status. Law enforcement agencies developed these policies to carefully balance important policing priorities: cooperating with federal immigration authorities where required, conserving state resources to spend on state needs rather than federal programs, and ensuring that everyone living in our communities trusts that they can turn to the police if they are the victims of crime.
Though these policies are sometimes called "sanctuary" policies, these governments are not offering sanctuary from immigration law - residents can still be arrested, detained, and deported by federal law enforcement agents, and local government will participate when legally required to do so.Separation policies are instead about ensuring public safety, the wise stewardship of public resources, and community cohesion.
Safe communities depend on effective state and local public safety and government agencies. Effective public safety requires trust-building. When migrant communities fear immigration consequences for interacting with government agencies, they are less likely to report crime, serve as witnesses, or appear in court. State and local public safety agencies in Minnesota have invested in building trust with dedicated outreach to immigrant communities, investing funds to respond to community needs, and creating clear distinctions between themselves and federal immigration enforcement. Demanding state and public involvement in federal immigration enforcement undermines that investment and trust, which makes us all less safe.
Thriving societies, like those that MN has worked to create, require that people feel safe participating in daily life. Bringing your kids to school, attending court hearings, calling the police in emergencies, going to work, seeking healthcare, or participating in religious activities should never involve a risk of not returning to family. Even when people do not fear immigration consequences, the constant presence of immigration enforcement chills participation in the community. Communities do not want to live with the ever-present monitoring of public spaces by federal law enforcement.
Oppose efforts to weaken our communities. Contact your congressional representatives to let them know you support keeping local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement separate. Push locally for city and county governments to adopt separation policies or better enforce existing ones.We can demand safe communities that welcome and protect all residents.
