The issue of sanctuary cities in the United States presents an interesting case in jurisdiction. In this assignment, you will review sources that present a specific case of sanctuary cities in the United States and complete a template that outlines the main components of the conflict. Planning and developing prototypes is an important professional skill, and this will help to illustrate connections between law enforcement, court systems, and cases, and how they function together.
Prompt
In Module Two, you learned about how law enforcement functions; in Module Three, you learned about the courts. This assignment will assist you as you begin to create presentation materials for Project Two. Complete the template using the provided Module Four Assignment Template Word Document. Use this document to illustrate the specific functions and processes of law enforcement and court systems, as well as how they work together in a specific case. Following the template, you will find a few follow-up questions. Answer each question in two to five sentences, and use examples from the resources to support your responses. These should elaborate on the information presented in your template.
Law Enforcement
Identify the functions of law enforcement related to sanctuary cities in the resources provided. Be sure to include the following:
What law enforcement is allowed to do according to Senate Bill 4
What impact or lack thereof the law has had on police operations
Courts
Identify the functions of court systems related to sanctuary cities in the resources provided. Be sure to include the following:
What the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit did
The Constitutional issues that may arise
Function Together
Describe how the U.S. law enforcement and court systems relate to sanctuary cities using information from the resources provided. Be sure to include the following:
How they responded to the shared issues
One challenge area for the police in relationship to holding detainees
Full Answer Section
Impact of Senate Bill 4:
Senate Bill 4, passed in Texas, aimed to limit sanctuary city policies by prohibiting local jurisdictions from restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. While the law has had some impact on police operations, its effectiveness has been challenged in court.
Courts
Role of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has played a significant role in shaping the legal landscape of sanctuary cities. In cases like Texas v. United States, the court has upheld the rights of states to enforce immigration laws and has limited the ability of local jurisdictions to adopt sanctuary policies.
Constitutional Issues:
The interplay between federal and state immigration laws raises constitutional questions, including the balance of power between the federal government and states, as well as due process and equal protection concerns.
Law Enforcement and Courts Working Together
Response to Shared Issues:
Law enforcement agencies and courts have responded to the challenges posed by sanctuary cities in various ways. Some jurisdictions have implemented policies to limit cooperation with ICE, while others have sought to balance federal immigration laws with local concerns. Courts have played a crucial role in interpreting these laws and resolving disputes between federal, state, and local authorities.
Challenges for Police in Detaining Detainees:
One significant challenge for police in sanctuary cities is the risk of liability for detaining individuals solely based on civil immigration violations. This can lead to tension between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as well as potential legal consequences for officers.
Additional Considerations
It is important to note that the legal landscape surrounding sanctuary cities is complex and constantly evolving. As courts continue to weigh in on these issues, the relationship between law enforcement and immigration enforcement may shift.