Sanctuary city policies have been proven to benefit the cities they are implemented in and show no significant detriments.

In the current polarized political climate, immigration has been a hot-button topic that never fails to spark intense debate. However, attacks have been aimed at one specific policy recently: sanctuary cities. Sanctuary cities represent the ideals that America was founded on: a land of equal opportunity where everyone is given a chance to thrive.

The term “Sanctuary cities” describes places where municipal governments restrict local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration laws and authorities. This can mean refusing to arrest people for being in the United States illegally, refusing to hold detainees for the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers unless ICE pays for their detention, or not asking for people’s immigration status when they are pulled over or commit minor infractions. Overall, sanctuary cities offer a safer environment for illegal immigrants.

These cities and counties have recently faced harsh criticism and claims that they are dangerous institutions. An executive order was signed which meant to deny federal funding for sanctuary cities called “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States.” Ignoring the fact that the order to deny funding to these cities might be unconstitutional, the title alone makes a claim that sanctuary cities are a threat to the Unites States’ public safety, which is categorically false.

These cities do not forgive violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, and they do not pose any actual threat to public safety. These cities, if anything, benefit their residents. Here is a comprehensive list of cities with sanctuary policies including what those policies are.

These cities’ policies help to maintain America’s image as a welcoming country. They protect the ideal for which the Statue of Liberty stands. Sanctuary cities should be a point of pride for our country.

However, it isn’t enough to praise these cities. As many people can write as many articles they want, nothing will change if we don’t take action. The way to help is simple: participate. Email your representative, or, even better, call them. Here is a directory of the representatives from each state and their phone numbers.

To help immigrants more directly, support the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)  which has recently been working to help protect the rights of immigrants. Donate to the ACLU here, and help them take action here. We can all help to protect the rights of immigrants, legal or illegal if we show up for them.