WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) reveals that there are currently at least 1,003 jurisdictions in the United States that have adopted formal or de facto sanctuary policies designed to protect illegal aliens. These jurisdictions include 17 states and the District of Columbia.
FAIR spent months thoroughly examining primary documents, such as state laws, resolutions, ordinances, and policy directives that bar or impede cooperation with federal immigration enforcement authorities. The report also incorporates secondary sources like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Declined Detainer Outcome Report, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Detainer Acceptance Tracker, academic studies, direct quotes from public officials, and media coverage in determining whether a jurisdiction obstructed federal immigration enforcement.
The 1,003 sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide represent a 78 percent increase over FAIR's previous review in 2018, which itself represented an exponential increase over 2009, when just 40 jurisdictions maintained sanctuary policies.
In addition to listing all 1,003 jurisdictions cited in the report, FAIR has included links to the specific laws or policies that shield illegal aliens from being reported or remanded to federal immigration enforcement authorities.
"It is clear that the proliferation of sanctuary policies is driven by politics, not concern for public safety or interests," commented Julie Kirchner, executive director of FAIR. "In certain deep blue areas of the country, the political establishment is ideologically opposed to just about any form of immigration enforcement – often ignoring the will of the people in those jurisdictions. In many cases, their opposition to immigration enforcement is so extreme that they would rather turn foreign criminals loose onto the streets than turn them over to ICE to be removed from the country, sometimes with tragic results.
"President Trump has issued several executive orders aimed at holding sanctuary jurisdictions accountable. His most recent order, issued in late April, directed federal agencies to compile a comprehensive list of sanctuary jurisdictions. FAIR's meticulously documented list will provide the Department of Justice and other agencies a valuable resource to carry out the president's order and hold them accountable.
"FAIR's compilation of sanctuary jurisdictions will also serve to educate the citizens of communities nationwide about policies that put the interests of illegal aliens ahead of law-abiding Americans. The report will provide ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies a guide of where best to deploy their resources as the Trump administration carries out its agenda for deporting illegal aliens," Kirchner concluded.
The complete report, Sanctuary Jurisdictions Across the U.S., can be found here.
Contact: Ira Mehlman, 213.700.0407 or imehlman@fairus.org.
ABOUT FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.
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SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)
