‘Sanctuary cities’ bill is not likely to solve problems

Texas isn’t the only state that grapples with the consequences of the nation’s troubled immigration system.

In California, Kate Steinle was gunned down in the streets of San Francisco, and police arrested an ex-con in the country illegally who had been convicted of seven felonies and deported five times.

Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez was released to wander freely without fear of a sixth deportation because San Francisco is a so-called “sanctuary city.”

While there is no legal definition for the term, sanctuary cities are generally seen as those where local authorities have policies in place that restrict communication or cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Some also include those cities where local police are not routinely allowed to ask federal immigration status or provide that information to authorities.

Proponents argue that these practices help law officers build trust in immigrant communities and that their jurisdictions enjoy lower crime rates as a result.

Opponents disagree and point to Steinle’s tragic death as a reason why such policies are dangerous.

Congressional Republicans have proposed and passed legislation that would withhold certain federal funds that support local law enforcement while their cities maintain such policies.

It seems obvious that local leaders in San Francisco share some blame for Steinle’s tragic murder.

But Lopez-Sanchez, whose rap sheet was long even before his recent murder charge, is not a typical illegal immigrant.

Ensuring better cooperation between federal and local authorities is an important goal.

Ideally, improved and more strategic communication would enable law enforcement to detain and deport the most dangerous criminals without undermining the bonds of trust local police build with immigrant populations.

But pulling federal funding from sanctuary cities would limit their resources and is unlikely to convince them to change their enforcement practices.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 7:02 PM with the headline "‘Sanctuary cities’ bill is not likely to solve problems."