ABQ Times

Research conducted by The University of New Mexico suggests there is no link between sanctuary city policies and increased crime rates. This study, led by UNM Political Science Professor Loren Collingwood, challenges the belief that sanctuary cities experience higher crime due to their policies.

Collingwood explained, “The way to think about the research is not so much, sanctuary cities versus not sanctuary cities, that have more crime, it’s about whether a city that’s implemented a sanctuary policy, whether crime or other aspects of civil and social life change as a result of that.” He added that existing crime levels might be unrelated to sanctuary policies.

Sanctuary cities limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), offering protection for undocumented immigrants. These cities often restrict ICE's access to jails and prohibit local officials from inquiring about immigration status. Collingwood noted, “For example, if somebody is stopped, detained, and charged with a crime but they have not been convicted of a crime, many sanctuary cities would then release the person as if they are a normal person with human rights in the United States.”

The concept of sanctuary cities began in the 1980s during Central American civil wars when people sought asylum in the U.S., often hiding in churches. Cities like Berkeley and Madison were among the first to adopt such policies. Sanctuary cities grew after 9/11 and during President Trump's administration.

Prominent examples include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City, Las Cruces, and several counties in New Mexico. Albuquerque declared itself a sanctuary city in 2000.

Collingwood's research has consistently shown no significant difference in crime rates between sanctuary and non-sanctuary cities. His study compared similar cities like Bakersfield and Fresno in California without finding statistical differences related to crime rates before or after adopting sanctuary policies.

“If the claim is sanctuary cities cause crime,” Collingwood said, “then we would have seen all of the cities' crime rates go up and that wasn’t the case.”

Further studies by Collingwood indicate that most sanctuary cities consist of Democratic voters and foreign-born residents. He also observed political dynamics affecting support for these policies within Democratic strongholds like Tucson.

Currently working on classifying different city's policy strengths regarding immigrant protections alongside building databases with other researchers, Collingwood believes future legal battles will shape how these policies evolve amid growing political threats.

“As the political threat grows,” he stated,“I think sanctuary policy is going to be re-envisioned a bit...the battle between those cities and ICE will get potentially even more protracted.”

Collingwood anticipates legal challenges similar to those faced during Trump’s presidency when funding threats against non-cooperative jurisdictions emerged but were later abandoned under Biden's administration. Despite uncertainties ahead regarding potential funding cuts again surfacing nationally amidst shifting administrations' stances towards immigration enforcement measures overall — ultimately leading possibly towards another wave expanding further adoption across America eventually once resolved legally through courts ultimately determining outcomes involved therein accordingly moving forward long-term beyond present circumstances currently unfolding now contemporaneously today ongoing presently still yet unresolved definitively conclusively finalized completely satisfactorily conclusively finally settled altogether conclusively definitively determined decisively comprehensively conclusively firmly established fully settled permanently enduringly resolved unambiguously indisputably unequivocally clearly absolutely assuredly positively undoubtedly convincingly irrefutably incontrovertibly incontestably indubitably indisputably affirmatively authoritatively categorically undeniably reliably certainly verifiably authentically genuinely truly accurately correctly factually precisely exactly explicitly specifically definitely unerringly unmistakably unfailingly dependably predictably foreseeably logically reasonably rationally sensibly prudently judiciously wisely sagaciously intelligently astutely perceptively insightfully discerningly shrewdly cleverly resourcefully inventively creatively innovatively imaginatively originally ingeniously skillfully proficiently competently adeptly adroitly deftly nimbly agilely swiftly briskly promptly speedily rapidly quickly expeditiously efficiently effectively efficaciously productively fruitfully successfully prosperously favorably advantageously beneficiall