Sanctuary laws

The immigration sector and its policies have been substantially transformed over the past three years. This is primarily because the Trump administration intends to reduce illegal immigration at all costs.

That is why the current administration of the US has hired more than 10,000 employees for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

This entity is the branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in charge of protecting the US borders, overseeing immigration detention centers around the country, and detaining undocumented foreigners that managed to cross the borders without prior authorization.

Naturally, engaging border forces to reduce illegal immigration also created severe opposition, and sanctuary laws and cities have also grown in recent years, along with the federal agency.

When we use the term Sanctuary, we are referring to laws, policies, cities, and regulations that are intended to protect the personal information of undocumented immigrants currently residing in the US. They are places and regulations that prevent deportation of foreigners who do not have a legal residence permit yet.

Do you need to request your legal documentation? Contact Motion Law and schedule your free phone consultation as soon as possible.

Los Angeles decides to protect undocumented immigrants

To give a specific example of a sanctuary law, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) stated in April, 2020, that immigrants detained without legal documentation could not be sent to ICE centers during the health crisis caused by the Coronavirus.

In addition to that, on August 3, the LASD announced that this rule will be in force definitively, during and after the massive outbreak of COVID-19 in the North American territory.

It means that if immigrants are detained for committing crimes (both misdemeanor and felony) and do not hold a legal permit to reside in the US, the LASD officials will not be able to reveal their immigration status, nor can they transfer them to ICE’s immigration detention centers for possible deportation proceedings.

The only way for LASD to transfer immigrants is if ICE files a judicial criminal warrant.

This news was very positive to hundreds of immigrant rights advocates. At the same time, this sanctuary law also generated multiple criticisms.

The DHS criticizes Los Angeles sanctuary policy

On August 18, 2020, the DHS deputy secretary openly declared his disagreement with Los Angeles’ sanctuary policy that protects undocumented immigrants who, apart from crossing borders without legal documentation, have committed crimes and are therefore detained by the LASD.

In fact, the deputy secretary used strong language when referring to this sanctuary policy, stating that: “It is a no-brainer to say putting 180 murderers, 750 rapists and 1,400 weapons offenders back on the streets when they could have otherwise been removed from the country will lead to other murders, rapes and weapons offenses in that community.”

He declares that this sanctuary policy could harm local people, or even worse, put their lives at risk. The LASD has not officially responded to this criticism received by the DHS.

Motion Law can help you with your immigration case

These are difficult times for immigrant communities who decided to cross the borders of the US without legal documentation. In fact, illegal immigration never has a positive impact for you and your family.

Therefore, the best alternative is for you to have the constant accompaniment of experts when requesting your legal documentation in the US to avoid precarious situations.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.