List of Sanctuary cities

Sanctuary city is a name given to a city in the United States that follows certain procedures that shelters illegal immigrants. These procedures can be by law (de jure) or they can be by action (de facto). The term most commonly is used for cities that do not permit municipal funds or resources to be applied in furtherance of enforcement of federal immigration laws.  These cities normally do not permit police or municipal employees to inquire about one's immigration status. The designation of Sanctuary City” has no legal meaning.     

List of U.S. Sanctuary Cities* 

Information obtained from*  http://www.ojjpac.org/sanctuary.asp 

*Note: Not all listings have been independently confirmed by OJJPAC. If you believe a city should not be listed, please send an email, and OJJPAC will make note of the dispute and attempt to verify.  Adjacent dates represent when a city was added to the list, not necessarily when it became (or allegedly became) a sanctuary city. Other notations may indicate the source of information.  Cities without a date were added prior to May, 2007.  Some sanctuary cities may not have yet been identified and therefore not listed below.  You are encouraged to perform additional research regarding the status of your own community.  The presence of illegal aliens in a community does not necessarily indicate that a city supports illegal migration or is a "sanctuary city." 

The sanctuary list is continuously updated.  It was last updated on: 1-30-11

The Original list of Sanctuary Cities, USA

        State/County/City

Alaska

• Anchorage, AK  (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service) (7-29-10 The Municipality of Anchorage disputes the listing. See notes at bottom of page for details.)

• * (The city of Fairbanks has been removed from the Sanctuary Cities list due to the city council's passage of a resolution supporting a formal recognition of its cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.  The city of Fairbanks had previously been listed due its designation as a sanctuary city by the Congressional Research Service.  OJJPAC thanks the City of Fairbanks for taking positive steps to clarify its compliance with federal law. Fairbanks enforcement statistics will be monitored for compliance as. 

  Arizona

• Chandler, AZ   (Added 5/30/07, Congressional Research Service Report, 2006 )

• Mesa, AZ        (Added 10-18-09, Sources: Judicial Watch; East Valley Tribune article,1-4-2008)*

• Phoenix, AZ
• Tucson, A Z    (Added 11-12-07, Source: 11-11-07 story by Brady McCombs, Arizona Daily Star. See note below.)

  California

• Bell Gardens, CA
• City of Industry, CA
• City of Commerce, CA
• Cypress, CA
• Davis CA
• Downey, CA
• Fresno, CA            (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
• Lakewood, CA 
• Los Angeles, CA   (Congressional Research Service)
• Long Beach, CA
• Lynwood, CA
• Maywood, CA
• Montebello, CA
• National City, CA
• Norwalk, CA
• Oakland, CA                 (Added 8-27-07. Source: 4/25/07 story by KCBS 740 AM. Link here.)
• Paramount, CA
• Pico Rivera, CA
• Richmond, CA               (Added 11-5-09. Sources:  Mayor Gayle McLaughlin's campaign website from 2004, 2006)
• So. Gate, CA
• San Bernardino, Ca.      (Added 6/7/07, reader submitted /  9/5/08 Listing disputed by the city administration* See addl.notes)
• San Diego, CA              (Congressional Research Service)
• Santa Clara County, CA  (Added 11-29-10, source:  Forced into Immigration Enforcement, A County Considers Plan B, 10-21-10, Huffington Post.)
• Santa Cruz, CA             (Added 5/30/07, documented by KSBW news)
• San Francisco, CA        (Congressional Research Service)
• San Jose, CA                (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
• Santa Maria, CA           (11-18-08 Submitted research from local activist/ Listing disputed by the city administration)
• Sonoma County, CA    (Congressional Research Service)
• Vernon, CA
• Watsonville, CA         (Added 5/30/07, documented by KSBW news)
• Wilmington, CA

Colorado       

•  Aurora, CO
•  Commerce City, CO
•  Denver, CO                     (Source: Congressional Research Service)
•  Durango, CO                   (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
•  Federal Heights, CO
•  Fort Collins, CO
•  Lafayette, CO                 (Added 6/3/07, documented by reader)
•  Thornton, CO
•  Westminster, CO

Connecticut  

• Hartford, CT                     (Added 5/4/10.  Source: [Ordinance passed in 2008], NEWS 21 Blog, by Amy Crawford, Hartford, CT)
• New Haven, CT                (Added 6/4/07.  Source: TV News 8: City council votes 25-1 to issue ID cards to illegal aliens)

Florida

• DeLeon Springs, FL

• Deltona, FL

• Jupiter, FL  (Added 4-13-09. Previously on watch list.)

• Lake Worth, FL  (Added 4-13-09.)

• Miami, FL

Georgia

• Dalton, GA        (Added 5/30/07. 6/18/07 Listing disputed by the City of Dalton, GA. City's written policy requested. )

  Illinois

• Chicago, IL        (Congressional Research Service)
• Cicero, IL          (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
• Evanston, IL       (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

  Iowa

• (See city watch list below)

  Kansas

• Wichita                (Source: Police department policy exposed after the death of Lola Jayne, KSN TV-3, 12-19-08)

        Louisiana

• New Orleans, LA  (Source: Police department announced policy of "don't ask, don't tell"  by Police superintendent Warren Riley, WWL-TV; 9-9-09)

        Massachusetts

• Cambridge, Mass.  (Source: Boston Globe. First passed resolution in 1985)
• Chelsea, Mass.      (Added: 8-14-07 Source: Chelsea government website with text of sanctuary policy.)
• Orleans, Mass.      (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
• Springfield             (Disputed)

  Maine

• Portland    (Added 5/31/07 Note: Maine resident reported that Portland city council passed sanctuary legislation)
• State of Maine   (Added 5/31/07 Note: Governor of Maine initiated de facto protections for illegals by Executive Order in 2004)*

  Maryland

• Baltimore, MD               (Congressional Research Service)     
• Gaithersburg, MD
• Mt. Rainier, MD        (Added 1-20-08, Source: The Washington D.C. Examiner, 1-19-08)
• Montgomery County, MD  (Added 11-3-09, Source: Frederick County sheriff worried about MontCo gangs, The Washington D.C. Examiner, 11-2-09)
• Takoma Park, MD      (Reported that City ordinance passed some 20 years ago; Congressional Research Service)

  Michigan

• Ann Arbor, MI      (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)       

• Detroit, MI            (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

  Minnesota

• Minneapolis, MN    (Congressional Research Service)
• St. Paul, MN
• Worthington, MN      (Added 5-30-07 Note: This is where a Swift plant was raided by ICE in December, 2006)

  Nevada

• Reno                        (Added 5-31-07; 2-18-08 Disputed by city; OJJPAC has requested a copy of city policies. Copy of policies never received as of 9-12-10) 

  New Jersey

• Camden, NJ                (Added in 2007; latest source: Camden, Immigrant Haven?, By Lauren Feeney, City Paper, 7-16-08)
• Fort Lee, NJ
• Hightstown, NJ           (Added 5-30-07)
• Jersey City, NJ
• Newark, NJ                (Added 6-3-07)
• North Bergen, NJ
• Trenton, NJ
• Union City, NJ
• West New York, NJ

  New Mexico

• Albuquerque, NM            (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service; 8-14-07 KOB-TV 4 Eyewitness News report)

• Aztec, NM                       (Added 5-8-10, Identified by CRS in 2006 report to Congress)

• Rio Ariba County, NM    (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

• Santa Fe, NM                 (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

  New York

• Albany, NY                (Added 7-22-09 Source: Council adopts don't ask policy, Times Union report by Jordan Carleo-Evangelist)

• Bay Shore, NY
• Brentwood, NY
• Central Islip, NY
• Farmingville, NY
• New York City, NY
• Riverhead, NY
• Shirly/Mastic, NY
• Spring Valley Village, NY  (Added 7-25-07)
• Uniondale, NY
• Westbury, NY

  North Carolina

• Carrboro, NC               (Added 11-12-07 Source: Towns differ on illegal aliens by Patrick Winn, The News & Observer)

• Chapel Hill, NC            (Added 11-12-07 Source: Towns differ on illegal aliens by Patrick Winn, The News & Observer)

• Charlotte, NC
• Chatham County, NC    (Added 1-14-09 Source: Chatham rejects immigration program, The News & Observer)
• Durham, NC                 (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
• Raleigh
• Winston-Salem

  Ohio

• Columbus, OH        (7/5/07 Source: 5/10/07 Columbus Dispatch article stating illegal aliens in misdemeanor cases are not reported to ICE) 

• Dayton, OH            (Added 1-11-10 Source:  Dayton Daily News story by Lucas Sullivan.  Police chief prohibits officers from asking about immigration status.

• Lima, OH                    (Added 10-28-08 Note:  City administration opposes County Sheriff's efforts to remove illegal aliens.) 

• Oberlin, OH           (Added 1-25-09. Source: City Resolution adopted January 20, 2009)   

• Painesville, OH        (7-19-07 Source: 7-18-07 Cleveland Scene article) 

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma City         (de facto)  

• Tulsa                        (6-3-07 Note: Tulsa city council is discussing changing its sanctuary policy.  8-15-10 Update:  See note below.)
•  

Oregon

• State of Oregon *       (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service)  *(See note below)

• Ashland, OR               (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service)
• Gaston, OR                (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service)
• Marion County, OR    (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service)
• Portland, OR

Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, PA*          (7-15-10 Source: Mayor Nutter's, November, 2009 Executive order: Policy Concerning Access of Immigrants to City Services .)                

Texas

• Austin, TX                (Congressional Research Service)
• Baytown, TX            (6-13-07 Local reader observation)
• Brownsville, TX
• Channelview, TX      (6-13-07 Local reader observation)
• Denton, TX
• Dallas, TX
• El Cenizo, TX          (6-13-07 Congressional Research Service)
• Ft.Worth, TX
• Houston, TX            (Congressional Research Service)
• Katy, TX                 (Congressional Research Service)
• Laredo, TX
• Mcallen, TX
• Port Arthur, TX          (6-13-07 Reader/resident observation)

  Utah

• Provo, UT*                (* 8-27-2010  The current administration in Provo Utah contacted OJJPAC earlier this month and indicated that it has no desire to be a sanctuary for illegal aliens.  Verification of fact in progress. )

  Salt Lake City, UT

  Virginia

• Alexandria, VA*            (Added 10-6-08,  Source: City Resolution No. 2246 adopted 10-9-07)

• Fairfax County, VA
• Virginia Beach, VA         (Added 6/3/07)

        Vermont

• Burlington, VT            (Added 5-14-09  Source: 5-13-09 Associated Press story by Wilson Ring)
• Middlebury, VT          (Added 5-14-09  Source: 5-13-09 Associated Press story by Wilson Ring)
• State of Vermont*        (Added 11-29-10  Source: 11-21-10 Vermont AG proposes bias-free policing policy, Burlington Free Press)

        Washington 

• King Co. Council, WA     (Added as a de facto sanctuary on 6-28-09 Source: The Seattle Times; and on 11-9-09 Ordinance passed)
• Seattle, WA                      (Added 5/30/07; Congressional Research Service)

Wisconsin

• Madison, WI                    (Congressional Research Service)  Update: In June, 2010, the city council passed a resolution reaffirming its policy.                                    

  Wyoming

• Jackson Hole, WY

Washington, D.C.         (Update: The Washington D. C. city council has voted to prohibit its police department from participating in the Secure Communities program in July, 2010 according to an AP story by Ivan Moreno dated 7-26-10.)

  Cities under review

 Diamond Bar, CA   (6/26/07 Disputed by city. Currently being researched to verify.)

Boulder, CO

DesMoines, IA  (Added 11-28-07 Source: Proposal seeks banning immigration raids in D.M., by Nigel Duara, DesMoines-Register)

Bridgeton, NJ            (Added 6-3-07) [7-27-07 Disputed by a reputed farm worker advocate, see note below.] 

Peekskill, NY      [Disputed, being researched]

San Antonio, TX  [Note: The Sanctuary status of San Antonio is disputed, being researched.]

Watch List Cities  Note: This is a new list started 8-14-07 and was updated on 1-30-11.

• Joliet, IL                  (Source: Resident alleges police have don't ask don't tell policy, courts ignore immigration status)
• Iowa City, IA          (Source: Article, Group pushes Iowa City as 'immigration sanctuary city,' DesMoines Register, 10-31-10)
• Cedar Rapids, IA    (Source: Article, Two Iowa cities considering adopting sanctuary policies for illegal aliens, by Dave Gibson, Examiner.com, 12-20-10)
• Lexington, KY         (Source: 11-12-07 Submitted by local resident who claims it is a sanctuary city)            
• Worcester, MASS   (Source: 8-14-07 Worcester Telegram)
• Lakewood, NJ         (Source:9-10-08  Local residents)
• Clark County, OH    (Source: 1-27-08 Springfield-News-Sun)
• Middletown, OH      (Source: 1-30-08 Middletown News-Journal)
• Springfield, OH         (Source: 1-27-08 Springfield-News-Sun)
• Clark County, OH    (Source: 9-29-08 Springfield-News-Sun Editorial (Sheriff Kelly not interested in removing illegal aliens)
• Gallatin, TN              (Source: 9-26-08 Reader)
• Shelbyville, TN         (Source: News articles submitted by Shelbyville resident)
• Portland, TN             (Source: 9-26-08 Reader)
• Hendersonville, TN   (Source: 9-26-08 Reader)
• Whitehouse, TN        (Source: 9-26-08 Reader)
• McKinney, TX          (Source:  11-28-11 Star Local News article by Marthe Stinton)

   

   

  Sanctuary Cities, USA: Additional Notes

  Anchorage, AK

  The Municipality of Anchorage sent OJJPAC a letter disputing the city's listing postmarked July 29, 2010.  It claims that the Congressional Research Service's listing of the city as a "sanctuary" was based on a Resolution adopted by its Assembly (AR 2003-223) in 2003.  The Municipal Attorney Dennis Wheeler says that that Resolution was rescinded on December 18, 2007. 

  Mesa, Arizona

  Mesa Arizona has been added as a sanctuary city list because of its reported "don't ask don't tell policy" and criticism by the local sheriff that the city is not enforcing the law.  The sheriff has arrested illegal aliens working in city buildings (as contract workers for a private cleaning company), reportedly after the city police department refused to investigate complaints of illegal hires by a whistleblower.   

  Philadelphia, PA

  Philadelphia's Mayor signed an Executive Order in November 2009 that provided additional protections to illegal aliens in the city.  However, the City of Philadelphia does have an existing Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System (PARS) agreement with ICE.  Mayor Nutter objects to the  PARS computer technology agreement which is now up for renewal. The Mayor apparently believes that the access of data by ICE will result in increased immigration violation investigations and deportations.  Here is an article by the Philadelphia Inquirer.  

  Tucson, Arizona

  Tucson Arizona has been added to the sanctuary city list because the Tucson police have instituted a new policy which prevents their officers from calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement to schools and churches. 

  Tulsa, Oklahoma

  Tulsa city councilor Jim Mautino was quoted in a Tulsa World article by P.J. Lassek, that he believes Tulsa is a sanctuary city and that the Police don't verify legal presense during traffic stops.  Mautino wants to crack down on illegal aliens and introduce an ordinance mandating the use of E-Verify because the resolution that was passed cannot be enforced. 

  State of Oregon

  According to a CRS report (October, 2005), Oregon passed a law in 1987 that prohibits local and state law enforcement from using state resources for locating and capturing illegal aliens.  Law enforcement was permitted [but not required] to "exchange information" with federal immigration agents if an illegal alien was arrested for a crime. 

  San Bernardino, CA.     

  San Bernardino was added to the list on June 6th of 2007 as a result of a readers submission.  On September 5th 2008, the city administration contacted me to dispute its listing.  OJJPAC has asked the city's law department to forward copies of the city's policies regarding its processes when illegal aliens are encountered in its city.

 Bridgeton, NJ           7-27-07 Disputed by a reputed farm worker advocate who sent me this email:

"I just wanted to point out an inaccuracy on your website's listing of sanctuary cities.  You have Bridgeton, NJ listed as a sanctuary city, and indeed it is most definitely not.  I work with CATA - The Farm workers' Support committee (www.cata-farmworkers.org) and we have an organized group of membership in this town.  One of our goals is working towards making Bridgeton an sanctuary city, but the local government is quite unfriendly towards the immigrant population, and the mayor has even hinted at wanting to implement a Hazleton type of ordinance (luckily, given yesterday's legal decision, that won't be happening)."

Columbus, OH

The Columbus Dispatch [Ohio] wrote:

"The police didn't contact immigration authorities concerning those who were determined to be undocumented, Booth said. Authorities say that's typical when it comes to misdemeanor charges."  [Columbus, Ohio]

Painesville, OH

Cleveland Scene (7-18-07) quotes the Painesville Police Chief Gary Smith:

***He [Police Chief Gary Smith] has no qualms about laying out his indifference in plain English: "We don't care what your [immigration] status is." ***

Oklahoma City, OK

One reader wrote about Oklahoma City:

Oklahoma City is a sanctuary city de facto.  Police officers have been told not to stop any Hispanic for minor traffic violations, because they have a good chance of being illegal and it is a waste of time.  The City has not been enforcing City Code if the recipient of the code violation doesn't speak English.  And is not attempting to enforce the single-family dwelling laws.

State of Maine 

Governor John E. Baldacci issued  executive order 13 FY 04/05 which was issued on April 9, 2004.  The order is entitled  “An Order Concerning Access to State Services by All Entitled Maine Residents.”  The order prohibits state workers from inquiring about the immigration status of anyone applying for services. 

Alexandria, VA

Resolution No. 2246, adopted October 9, 2007 states in part:  "...the City and its various agencies will neither make inquirers about nor report on the citizenship of those who seek the protection of its laws or the use of its services."   Evidently in Alexandria, illegal alien are safe from Immigration and Customs Enforcement until they commit a "serious" crime.  So what crimes can illegals commit with impunity from the federal government? Theft? Rape? Drug dealing? Gang activity?  OJJPAC's belief is that the City's Resolution conflict's with its responsibility under federal law.

State of Vermont 

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell reportedly has asked police in Vermont to adopt a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to immigration status under the guise of "Bias-Free Policing."  Police departments in Vermont will get a copy of the request but are not required to adopt the attorney general's policy.

 

Research Resources (incomplete listing)

• Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress
• CRS Report for Congress, Enforcing Immigration Law: The Role of State and Local Law Enforcement, Updated August 14, 2006

Apsan Law Offices LLC

Ê

Click for Consultation
(Bankruptcy, Home Loan Modification, Divorce and Accidents - Free Consultation)

Ê

Apsan Law Offices, LLC. practices in the areas of Immigration, Corporate Immigration, Family Immigration, Naturalization, bankruptcy, chapter 7 bankruptcy, chapter 13 bankruptcy, uncontested divorces, property settlement agreements and accidents throughout New York and New Jersey in communities including Essex County, Union County, Passaic County, Hudson County, Morris County, Bergen County and Somerset County, as well as the cities of Union, Linden, Rahway, Irvington, Hillside, Bloomfield, Harrison, Orange, East Orange, West Orange, Camden, Clifton, Edison, Jersey City, Passaic, Trenton, Union City, Newark, Ironbound, Kearny, South River, Jersey City, Paterson, Passaic, Elizabeth, Edison, Woodbridge, Toms River, Hamilton, Trenton, Camden, Clifton, Passaic, Garfield, Wallington, Cherry Hill, East Orange, Union City, Bayonne, Irvington, Old Bridge, Lakewood, Long Branch, North Bergen, Vineland, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills, New Brunswick, Plainfield, Bloomfield, Perth, Amboy, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, West New York, West Orange Hackensack, Atlantic City, Mount Laurel, Montclair, Hoboken, and Belleville. We also serve individuals and businesses located in New York's Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island including the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Huntington, Islip, Babylon, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Riverhead and the North Fork and South Fork (Hamptons) of Long Island. We assist people and businesses to file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code. We are a debt relief agency.



This is an advertisement. Certification as an Immigration Specialist is not currently available in New York or New Jersey. Apsan Law Offices LLC. practices in immigration law, a Federal practice area, and in State laws of New York and New Jersey and we do not claim expertise in the laws of states other than where our attorneys are licensed. The information contained on this site is intended to educate members of the public generally and is not intended to provide solutions to individual problems. Readers are cautioned not to attempt to solve individual problems on the basis of information contained herein and are strongly advised to seek competent legal counsel before relying on information on this site. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.Disclaimer: Apsan Law Offices LLC is a Debt Relief law firm as defined by 11 U.S.C. 528. We help people file for Bankruptcy Relief under the Bankruptcy Code. We do not guarantee any result and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This is an attorney advertisement and this website is for informational purposes only. Site is maintained by Nuvem Technologies,Inc, Inc. All rights reserved.