Sanctuary States

Introduction

Sanctuary states are those that limit or ban cooperation of state and local officials with the federal government in regard to enforcement of immigration law. So, when federal law enforcement agencies are investigating or prosecuting someone for illegal immigration, state and local police departments would be precluded from providing information or assistance under state law.

The meaning of sanctuary states however differs depending on whom one is speaking to. For instance, some see sanctuary states or cities being places where illegal immigrants are protected. While others see these areas as some sort of shelters against aggressive federal deportation policies.

As of 2021, there were seven sanctuary states. However, while there is no statewide sanctuary law in these, four additional states have cities and/or counties that provide sanctuary from federal immigration law.

Learn for yourself about sanctuary states by surveying the data in the charts.