Q&A of the Day – Sanctuary Cities crackdown. Any Florida cities in the mix?
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Today’s entry: Will Barr’s crackdown on sanctuary cities have any impact in Florida? After the Florida law last year I haven’t heard much about it but would still bet it’s happening here. I haven't seen anything change and still see illegals gathering for day labor same as ever.
Bottom Line: The answer to your question is straight forward. It remains to be seen. The announcement AG William Barr made on Monday regarding a coming crackdown on sanctuary cities has immediate implications in California, New Jersey and Washington but otherwise it’s a wait and see approach.In announcing a Department of Justice crackdown on sanctuary policy, the AG stated action will be taken against governments which enact policies to enable criminal aliens to escape. That language is instructive as you’re attempting to infer what could be coming, including in South Florida. It appears the focus isn’t on enforcement for the rounding up of illegal immigrants, a la the day laborers you’ve referenced but rather those who are known to the criminal justice system.
The first three actions announced by the Justice Department are against the states of California, New Jersey and King County, Washington. The California lawsuit challenges the new “sanctuary law” enacted in the state. The New Jersey lawsuit challenges a recent executive order by the state’s AG barring law enforcement from sharing immigration status and release dates with federal authorities. In King County, Washington – the DOJ filed suit against the County after they issued an order to not allow the Department of Homeland Security access to King Country International Airport for deportations. These complaints cite unconstitutional action taken by local governments. It’s safe to say it’s just the tip of the iceberg. For example, during the same address on Monday, AG Barr cited other governments they’re reviewing for potential action including a recent example in New York City, where the police department didn’t honor an ICE detainer request fora criminal illegal alien. After being released,the criminal alien raped and murdered a 92-year-old woman. Quoting Barr:
The Founding Fathers carefully divided responsibility and power between the federal government and the state governments. The 'Supremacy Clause' in Article VI of the Constitution provides that the 'Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof… shall be the supreme law of the land.'
This Clause is a vital part of our constitutional order. Enforcing a country’s immigration laws is an essential function of the national government. And no national government can enforce those laws properly if state and local governments are getting in the way. While federal law does not require that 'sanctuary jurisdictions' actively assist with federal immigration enforcement, it does prohibit them from interfering with our enforcement efforts.
That sounds like someone who’s taking the situation seriously. Be mindful he’s only been in the job for a year and you might say he’s had a few high-profile situations on his plate. It looks like this will be a priority going forward. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, the only Florida government which has engaged in sanctuary policies since the passage of our new law is Alachua County. CIS had previously citied sanctuary policies in numerous counties and cities across our state, including in South Florida previously. It would seem that the new law has been taken to heart across our state this side of potentially Alachua, and as a result I’d suspect the DOJ’s attention will be directed elsewhere.