Sanctuary Laws in US Cities

[Kennedy 0]

Sanctuary Laws

So what do you think? Are they a good idea? Are they local governments deciding which federal laws matter and which don't? Are they the reason some innocent citizens are dead?

edit: I'm surprised I couldn't find a thread on this already. This was spurred by Rebecca Griego/Jonathan Rowan and the DUI/homicide in Virigina, among however many others.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
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[Andy9o8 2]

I notice your "poll" provides 3 "anti" choices and 1 "pro" choice. Not a very balanced poll, IMO.
A quick Google search of the phrase "sanctuary laws" reveals that 90% of the commentary out there is by very conservative journals or authors. Basically part and parcel with the immigrant-bashing rhetoric. It seems to be a favorite buzz phrase with the conservative commentariat, right up there with "flag burning", "America haters", "gay marriage", "attack on Christianity", etc.

Thus, on this basis, I must conclude that sanctuary laws are a good thing.

[Skyrad 0]

Whats a Sanctuary Law?

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Andy9o8 2]

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Whats a Sanctuary Law?

Lazy Brit; too pissed to do a Google search?

They're local ordinances passed by several large US cities prohibiting their police from arrresting people solely for being illegal immigrants. The idea is to foster trust, and reduce mutual paranoia/hostility, between people and police, since urban areas traditionally tend to have large immigrant populations.

[Kennedy 0]

How in God's name is the third option an "anti" response?

Stating that something should be encouraged in more cities is being against it? Please explain that one. I'm not following.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Andy9o8 2]

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How in God's name is the third option an "anti" response?

Stating that something should be encouraged in more cities is being against it? Please explain that one. I'm not following.

Clearly not. Re-read my post. I said 3 were anti, while 1 was pro.

[Kennedy 0]

More than preventing police from arresting based on immigration status, they prevent police, and often sheriffs at the jail, from verifying status.

I'm not so concerned with police not checking everyone they come across and with them not being able to check people they are arresting for "real" crimes. You'd think once a person is arrested their status should be checked and if illegal they should be given the one-way ticket out of here.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Kennedy 0]

What, you'd prefer I called them vagrants or undocumented workers? The first one isn't a statement against sanctuary laws, it's a statement of what they do.

And if you have a better name for these ordinances that limit an officer's ability to enforce immigration specific laws, please share it. I can use that if people find it has less negative connotations.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Andy9o8 2]

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More than preventing police from arresting based on immigration status, they prevent police, and often sheriffs at the jail, from verifying status.

I'm not so concerned with police not checking everyone they come across and with them not being able to check people they are arresting for "real" crimes. You'd think once a person is arrested their status should be checked and if illegal they should be given the one-way ticket out of here.

Oh, I understand the rationale behind your point. I think the policy consideration driving the local legislators is that this fine point will be missed by the immigrant population, who might otherwise be totally hostile toward and uncooperative with the local police on all matters if they fear that they, or their friends or relatives, will be targeted by the police for their immigration status. So, balancing the conflicting interests, local lawmakers decided that promoting trust between the people and the police is the greater good.

[kallend 2,148]

Read "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Sanctuary laws have always been the people's protection against despots.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Kennedy 0]

Sanctuary provided by the church is more than a little different from city government forbiding law enforcement from enforcing the law.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Gawain 0]

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Sanctuary Laws

So what do you think? Are they a good idea? Are they local governments deciding which federal laws matter and which don't? Are they the reason some innocent citizens are dead?

edit: I'm surprised I couldn't find a thread on this already. This was spurred by Rebecca Griego/Jonathan Rowan and the DUI/homicide in Virigina, among however many others.

I remember this from a thread posted about O'Reilly vs. Geraldo, etc.

To the point of your topic though, a Federal Republic does allow states to retain a certain amount of autonomy, but the states do allow, under the Constitution, the federal government to determine matters of law for the country as a whole.

States should not be allowed to pick-and-choose on these issues. Immigration is a matter handled by the federal government, therefore the states are subject to that law. States that make their own determination locally are still subject to "the law of the land".

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[kallend 2,148]

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Sanctuary provided by the church is more than a little different from city government forbiding law enforcement from enforcing the law.

Just a minor difference in the power structure.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Amazon 7]

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Just a minor difference in the power structure.

And dissappearing quickly with the Bush Theocracy.. or is he just scamming all the fundies to retain power

[masterrig 1]

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More than preventing police from arresting based on immigration status, they prevent police, and often sheriffs at the jail, from verifying status.

I'm not so concerned with police not checking everyone they come across and with them not being able to check people they are arresting for "real" crimes. You'd think once a person is arrested their status should be checked and if illegal they should be given the one-way ticket out of here.

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I agree with you on this. If, a person is going to live in this country, they should be subject to the laws of this country, state, municipality and etc. just like everyone else. Regardless of race, religion or whatever. The former governor of New Mexico, tried to make that state an 'Amnesty State'... it didn't happen. To me, because a person is an 'illegal' immigrant, should not endow them with any 'special' treatment. To me, that is predjudice. In this country, we are 'supposed' to be treated equally under the law. Besides, 'illegals' are law-breakers, the second they 'illegally' enter this country. JMO


Chuck