What does research generally show about sanctuary policies and crime rates?

• A. They are linked to higher crime rates
• B. They are not linked to higher crime rates
• C. They cause lower crime rates
• D. There is no research on this topic

Answer: (B)

Research shows no evidence that sanctuary policies lead to higher crime rates. Across many studies in diverse cities and states, adopting sanctuary policies is not associated with an increase in violent or property crime. Analyses that compare crime trends before and after policy changes, or compare sanctuary places with similar non-sanctuary areas while controlling for other factors, typically find no rise in crime—and in some cases find no change or even small decreases in certain crime types. The idea that protecting immigrant-community trust would worsen safety isn’t supported by the data, and in fact greater trust can improve reporting and cooperation with police, which can aid public safety. Keep in mind that observational studies can't prove causation, and results vary with how policies are implemented, but the overall finding is that sanctuary policies are not linked to higher crime.