So please - let us help Payday loan How do we assess your application

List of US Sanctuary Cities*

Do not do any business with these cities until they decide to follow the law
*Note: Not all listings have been independently confirmed by OJJPAC. If you believe a city should not be listed, please send an email, and OJJPAC will make note of the dispute and attempt to verify. Dates represent when a city was added to the list, not when it became or allegedly became a sanctuary city. Other notations may indicate the source of information. Cities without a date were added prior to May, 2007. Some sanctuary cities may not have yet been identified and therefore not listed here. You are encouraged to perform additional research regarding the status of your own city.

Last updated: 8-27-07

State/City

Alabama

Note: False information appears to have been submitted to OJJPAC.org regarding the listing of Alabaster, AL. As a result Alabaster, AL is being removed from the sanctuary city list.

Alaska

Anchorage (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Fairbanks (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service) [Mayor of Fairbanks disputes the listing. However, OJJPAC has verified the listing of Fairbanks, Alaska, as having a sanctuary policy by the Congressional Research Service in an 2005 report. OJJPAC has requested that the city administration forward its policy demonstrating that it is not a sanctuary city--but none has been forwarded as of 8-9-07.]
Arizona

Chandler, AZ (Added 5/30/07, Congressional Research Service Report, 2006 )

Phoenix, AZ
California

Bell Gardens, CA
City of Industry, CA
City of Commerce, CA
Cypress, CA
Davis CA
Diamond Bar, CA (6/26/07 Disputed by city. Currently being researched to verify.)
Downey, CA
Fresno, CA (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Lakewood, CA
Los Angeles, CA (Congressional Research Service)
Long Beach, CA
Lynwood, CA
Maywood, CA
Montebello, CA
National City, CA
Norwalk, CA
Oakland, CA (Added 8-27-07. Source: 4/25/07 story by KCBS 740 AM. Link here.)
Paramount, CA
Pico Rivera, CA
So. Gate, CA
San Bernardino, Ca. (Added 6/7/07, reader submitted)
San Diego, CA (Congressional Research Service)
Santa Cruz, CA (Added 5/30/07, documented by KSBW news)
San Francisco, CA (Congressional Research Service)
San Jose, CA (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Sonoma County, CA (Congressional Research Service)
Vernon, CA
Watsonville, CA (Added 5/30/07, documented by KSBW news)
Wilmington, CA
Colorado

Aurora, CO
Commerce City, CO
Denver, CO (Congressional Research Service)
Durango, CO (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Federal Heights, CO
Fort Collins CO
Lafayette, CO (Added 6/3/07, documented by reader)
Thornton, CO
Westminster, CO
Connecticut

New Haven, CT (Added 6/4/07. TV News 8: City council votes 25-1 to issue ID cards to illegals)

Springfield CT (Disputed)
Florida

DeLeon Springs, FL

Deltona, Fl

Miami, FL
Sanford, Fl (7-23-07. Listing disputed by City of Sanford, under review.)
Georgia

Dalton, GA (Added 5/30/07. 6/18/07 Listing disputed as inaccurate by the City of Dalton, GA. Currently being researched. )
Illinois

Chicago, IL (Congressional Research Service)
Cicero, IL (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Evanston, IL (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Massachusetts

Cambridge, Mass. (Source: Boston Globe. First passed resolution in 1985)
Chelsea, Mass. (Added: 8-14-07 Source: Chelsea government website with text of sanctuary policy.)
Orleans, Mass. (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Maine

Portland (Added 5/31/07 Note: Maine resident reported that Portland city council passed sanctuary legislation)
State of Maine (Added 5/31/07 Note: Maine resident reported that the governor signed a sanctuary executive order)
Maryland

Baltimore, MD (Congressional Research Service)
Gaithersburg, MD
Takoma Park, MD (Reported that City ordinance passed some 20 years ago; Congressional Research Service)
Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

Detroit, MI (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN (Congressional Research Service)
St. Paul, MN
Worthington, MN (Added 5-30-07 Note: This is where a Swift plant was raided by ICE in December, 2006)
Nevada

Reno (Added 5-31-07)
New Jersey

Bridgeton, NJ (Added 6-3-07) [7-27-07 Disputed by a reputed farm worker advocate, see note below.]

Camden, NJ
Fort Lee, NJ
Hightstown, NJ (Added 5-30-07)
Jersey City, NJ
Newark, NJ (Added 6-3-07)
North Bergen, NJ
Trenton, NJ
Union City, NJ
West New York, NJ
New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service; 8-14-07 KOB-TV 4 Eyewitness News report)

Rio Ariba County, NM (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

Santa Fe, NM (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)

New York

Bay Shore, NY
Brentwood, NY
Central Islip, NY
Farmingville, NY
New York City, NY
Peekskill, NY [Disputed, being researched]
Riverhead, NY
Shirly/Mastic, NY
Spring Valley Village, NY (Added 7-25-07)
Uniondale, NY
Westbury, NY
North Carolina

Charlotte, NC
Durham, NC (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Raleigh
Winston-Salem
Ohio

Columbus, OH (7/5/07 Source: 5/10/07 Columbus Dispatch article stating illegal aliens in misdemeanor cases are not reported to ICE)

Painesville, OH (7-19-07 Source: 7-18-07 Cleveland Scene article) [8-9-07 Disputed by Painesville's City Manager, under review.]

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City (de facto)

Tulsa (6-3-07 Note: Tulsa city council is discussing changing its sanctuary policy.)
Oregon

State of Oregon * (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service) *(See note below)

Ashland, OR (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service)
Gaston, OR (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service)
Marion County, OR (8-9-07 Congressional Research Service)
Portland, OR
Texas

Austin, TX (Congressional Research Service)
Baytown, TX (6-13-07 Local reader observation)
Brownsville, TX
Channelview, TX (6-13-07 Local reader observation)
Denton, TX
Dallas, TX
El Cenizo, TX (6-13-07 Congressional Research Service)
Ft.Worth, TX
Houston, TX (Congressional Research Service)
Katy, TX (Congressional Research Service)
Laredo, TX
Mcallen, TX
Port Arthur, TX (6-13-07 Reader/resident observation)
San Antonio, TX [Note: The Sanctuary status of San Antonio is disputed, being researched.]
Utah

Provo, UT

Salt Lake City, UT
Virginia

Fairfax County, VA

Virginia Beach, VA (Added 6/3/07)

Washington

Seattle, WA (Added 5/30/07; Congressional Research Service)
Wisconsin

Madison, WI (Congressional Research Service)
Wyoming

Jackson Hole, WY

Washington, D.C.

Watch List Cities (Cities considering sanctuary policies) Note: This is a new list started 8-14-07

Worcester, MASS (Source: 8-14-07 Worcester Telegram)
Sanctuary Cities, USA: Additional Notes

State of Oregon

According to a CRS report (October, 2005), Oregon passed a law in 1987 that prohibits local and state law enforcement from using state resources for locating and capturing illegal aliens. Law enforcement was permitted [but not required] to “exchange information” with federal immigration agents if an illegal alien was arrested for a crime.

Bridgeton, NJ 7-27-07 Disputed by a reputed farm worker advocate who sent me this email:

“I just wanted to point out an inaccuracy on your website’s listing of sanctuary cities. You have Bridgeton, NJ listed as a sanctuary city, and indeed it is most definitely not. I work with CATA – The Farmworkers’ Support committee (www.cata-farmworkers.org) and we have an organized group of membership in this town. One of our goals is working towards making Bridgeton an sanctuary city, but the local government is quite unfriendly towards the immigrant population, and the mayor has even hinted at wanting to implement a Hazleton type of ordinance (luckily, given yesterday’s legal decision, that won’t be happening).”

Columbus, OH

The Columbus Dispatch [Ohio] wrote:

“The police didn’t contact immigration authorities concerning those who were determined to be undocumented, Booth said. Authorities say that’s typical when it comes to misdemeanor charges.” [Columbus, Ohio]

Painesville, OH

Cleveland Scene (7-18-07) quotes the Painesville Police Chief Gary Smith:

***He [Police Chief Gary Smith] has no qualms about laying out his indifference in plain English: “We don’t care what your [immigration] status is.” ***

Oklahoma City, OK

One reader wrote about Oklahoma City:

Oklahoma City is a sanctuary city de facto. Police officers have been told not to stop any Hispanic for minor traffic violations, because they have a good chance of being illegal and it is a waste of time. The City has not been enforcing City Code if the recipient of the code violation doesn’t speak English. And is not attempting to enforce the single-family dwelling laws.
Research Resources

Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

CRS Report for Congress, Enforcing Immigration Law: The Role of State and Local Law Enorcement, Updated August 14, 2006

has blogged 10955 posts here.

Share on Facebook

20 comments - What do you think?
Posted by admin - October 8, 2007 at 11:47 am

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

20 comments on “List of US Sanctuary Cities*”

Stevie G. on October 15, 2007 at 5:06 am said:

Can I ask why Fort Lee, NJ is cosidered a “Safe Haven” town for illegal immigrants? I have lived and worked there almost my entire adult life, and this does not seem to make any sense? I have heard that recently, their police department has assisted US Homeland Security in detaining for deportation hearings, two illegal aliens. This does not sound like a “Safe Haven” town for illegal immigrants to me. Stevie G. (Quote)
admin on October 15, 2007 at 5:09 am said:

*Note: Not all listings have been independently confirmed by OJJPAC. If you believe a city should not be listed, please send an email, and OJJPAC will make note of the dispute and attempt to verify. Dates represent when a city was added to the list, not when it became or allegedly became a sanctuary city. Other notations may indicate the source of information. Cities without a date were added prior to May, 2007. Some sanctuary cities may not have yet been identified and therefore not listed here. You are encouraged to perform additional research regarding the status of your own city. You should be able to find their email on their page here is the link. http://www.ojjpac.org/sanctuary.asp admin (Quote)
Beulah Hansen on October 17, 2007 at 4:08 pm said:

Question, Is San Antonio, Tx. a sancturary city? What cities in Louisana are sanctuary cities? Thanks Beulah Hansen (Quote)
admin on October 18, 2007 at 5:03 am said:

I can only provide the list admin (Quote)
shadwchasr on October 19, 2007 at 8:19 am said:

My In-laws live in New Braunsfels & to my recollection,yes San Antonio is a sanctuary city(or safe haven,if you want to call it that,cuz they won’t stop them there either).and New Braunsfels is being overrun by the Illegals. shadwchasr (Quote)
admin on October 19, 2007 at 9:45 am said:

Thanks for letting us know admin (Quote)
Hunter Sims on January 3, 2008 at 1:43 pm said:

Lexington, KY is a sanctuary city. Hunter Sims (Quote)
admin on January 3, 2008 at 2:48 pm said:

Thank you for that information admin (Quote)
Corliss Goodrum on May 19, 2009 at 7:10 pm said:

San Marcos seems to be over run with Illegals too. Corliss Goodrum (Quote)
admin on May 20, 2009 at 8:10 am said:

Then it probably should be on the list admin (Quote)
Carol on March 25, 2010 at 4:50 am said:

I don’t understand how Pennsylvania is NOT on the list of Sanctuary states when I know for a fact both Norristown & Allentown are overrun with Illegal Aliens since 2002. Seems to me someone’s taking a pay off to keep things quiet. Carol (Quote)
Kirk Dearman on July 15, 2010 at 7:04 am said:

Hmmm … let’s see how many “sanctuary cities” there are in MEXICO for illegal immmigrants!!! Kirk Dearman (Quote)
Kirk Dearman on July 15, 2010 at 7:06 am said:

Hmmmm … let’s see how many “sanctuary cities” there are in MEXICO for illegal immigrants!!! Kirk Dearman (Quote)
Michael Baun on August 29, 2010 at 12:51 pm said:

Fresno is not a sanctuary city. However I will be soon putting for a resolution before the city that it adopt a resolution to become so. Basing human rights on where people are born has to end. Michael Baun (Quote)
Chris on September 6, 2010 at 2:36 am said:

I wish you guys would update this list. Sanctuary cities are trumping federal law (which Obama ironically accused SB 1070 of doing) and leading to the downfall of this nation’s economy. We need an updated list (which seems to be very hard to find) so we can begin suing sanctuary cities just as Obama sued Arizona. Chris (Quote)
JC on October 10, 2010 at 10:12 pm said:

Dear Sir: You are a part of the problem with why the USA is going broke with bringing in illegals and illeterates to this country who contribute nothing, just get on the welfare roles to collect what is being handed out free. I’m sick of my taxes and everything being out of control because of these ungrateful people. You spend your check to take care of them because I and many many other americans are sick of it!!!! Michael Baun : Fresno is not a sanctuary city. However I will be soon putting for a resolution before the city that it adopt a resolution to become so. Basing human rights on where people are born has to end. JC (Quote)
admin on October 16, 2010 at 12:42 pm said:

I will when I find more information but you can feel free to add the ones you find on the comment section admin (Quote)
admin on October 16, 2010 at 12:43 pm said:

Really are you going to prepose one for those of us born in America who just want our country back??? admin (Quote)
Observer on February 1, 2011 at 10:03 am said:

EL PASO , TX is clearly a Sanctuary City. It is the HUB of the SW USA-Mexican conspiracy. The locals boast about it. Observer (Quote)
nannie logan on December 11, 2011 at 6:53 pm said:

Eliminate all sanctuary cities or do not allow them any federal funds for whatever purpose, ie (education, police and fire, teachers, rebuilding etc, etc, etc… nannie logan (Quote)