Sanctuary cities in the US are local jurisdictions—typically cities, counties, or states—that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to foster community trust and public safety. These policies emerged prominently in the 1980s to protect undocumented immigrants, especially Central American refugees, from deportation during routine local interactions.

Core Definition

Sanctuary policies generally prohibit local police or officials from inquiring about immigration status, honoring certain ICE detainer requests without warrants, or using local resources for federal immigration raids unless required by law. No uniform legal definition exists, as policies vary by locality, but they prioritize building trust so immigrants report crimes without fear. Originating in San Francisco's 1985 "City and County of Refuge" ordinance, the movement has grown to over 560 jurisdictions by recent counts.

Official Lists and Examples

The US Department of Justice maintains an updated list of sanctuary jurisdictions under Executive Order 14287, focusing on those obstructing federal enforcement as of October 2025. Key examples include:

Category| Examples
---|---
States| California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Washington 1
Counties| Cook County (IL), San Diego County (CA), San Francisco County (CA) 1
Cities| New York City (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Chicago (IL), Seattle (WA), Boston (MA) 13

This list reflects actions impeding ICE operations, with updates highlighting ongoing tensions.

Historical Context

The concept traces back to churches sheltering refugees in the 1980s, evolving into municipal policies amid debates over federal immigration priorities. By 2017-2025, amid stricter enforcement under multiple administrations, states like New Jersey and New York enacted pro-sanctuary laws, while Washington passed supportive measures in 2019. Critics argue these policies shield criminals, but proponents cite data showing sanctuary areas have lower crime rates due to higher reporting.

Debates and Impacts

Supporters view sanctuary cities as enhancing safety—police departments in places like Seattle endorse them for better community policing—while opponents, including the DOJ, claim they undermine national security. Federal efforts to defund them, like past executive orders, faced court blocks, emphasizing states' rights. As of January 2026, with President Trump's reelection influencing policy, lists continue expanding, with over 170 additions noted recently.

TL;DR : Sanctuary cities limit local-federal immigration cooperation for trust and safety, with hundreds listed nationwide; policies spark ongoing legal and political clashes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.