San Diego County Votes to Limit ICE Cooperation

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond recently discussed a significant decision by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. They’ve voted on a measure that aims to restrict collaboration between local police and federal immigration enforcement.

Interestingly, some of the safest cities in America happen to be in areas that do cooperate with ICE. It’s a nuanced topic, influenced by wealth and urban planning, but there are exceptions worth noting. For example, the list of the ten safest cities often features places where laws mandate local authorities to work with federal immigration officers. This cooperation is primarily facilitated through 287(g) agreements, which essentially allow local law enforcement to partner directly with ICE.

Take Johns Creek, Georgia, which is listed as the safest city by U.S. News & World Report. The city adheres to state mandates ensuring cooperation with immigration authorities. However, how factors like income levels, developmental patterns, and demographics impact safety remains a complex question.

Located in Fulton County, Johns Creek is relatively close to Atlanta, a city that has a higher crime rate. The stringent state laws requiring local cooperation emerged in response to incidents like the tragic murder of Laken Riley.

Arrests Surge Amid Federal Crackdown

Recently, Georgia enacted sweeping legislation, known as the Georgia Criminal Alien Tracking and Reporting Act of 2024, which compels local police to work with federal agencies for immigration enforcement. Jurisdictions that choose not to comply could lose state funding, as emphasized by Governor Brian Kemp: “If you are in our country illegally and committing crimes, you have no place in Georgia.”

Conversely, the second-safest city on the list, Centerville, Virginia, adopts a different stance. While the local law enforcement did cooperate with federal authorities until early January, the local government has made strides to limit such cooperation.

Centerville, situated near Dulles Airport and just off Interstate 66, boasts a very low poverty rate. It also notably lacks mixed-use developments, which are often associated with higher crime rates.

The other two noteworthy cities on the safety list are Sammamish, Washington, and Newton, Massachusetts. Both have unique housing situations and higher income levels. Interestingly, Newton’s “Welcoming City” ordinance and Washington’s Keeping Washington Functioning Act limit ICE cooperation.

In stark contrast, the remaining cities on the list fully comply with state or local laws that promote cooperation with immigration enforcement.

Recent Developments in Texas and Florida

Denton County, Texas, is transitioning its 287(g) agreement toward a more active “task force” model, allowing specific officers to detain individuals suspected of immigration violations. Sheriff Tracy Murphree expressed, “This is our job. We enforce the law, and that’s the law of the land.”

In Florida, both Homosassa Springs and Weston rank in the top ten safest cities, amidst some of the strictest immigration cooperation policies in the nation. The state has implemented various regulations mandating compliance with federal immigration efforts.

Carmel and Fishers, two Indiana suburbs, are also featured on the list, both bound by a state law that gives the attorney general the power to challenge local governments that refuse to enforce immigration policies. Meanwhile, Hamilton County is recognized for its collaborative approach to federal immigration enforcement.

The fourth safest city, Rochester Hills in Michigan, is associated with Oakland County, which has a long history of teamwork with ICE. Sheriff Michael Bouchard has made it clear that they are not, and have never been, a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Interestingly, across the U.S., there are thirty-nine states with at least one agency holding a 287(g) agreement with ICE, while some states, like California and Illinois, actively limit such cooperation. A complex web of regulations continues to shape the immigration enforcement landscape in America.