Roundtable: Sanctuary for None? How the Conflict between Federal Immigration Enforcement and Sanctuary Cities Impacts Counterterrorism on a Local Level

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

Local law enforcement plays a major role in the national security efforts. They are first responders if an event occurs, saving lives and sometimes preserving evidence. In some cities - and especially in New York - they also serve in a preventive and an investigative role, either by patrolling near potential targets or being engaged in a full-on Counterterrorism Unit, investigating possible terrorism.

Recently, the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice have begun to warn sanctuary cities that they are in danger of losing federal funding unless they actively certify their compliance with Federal Immigration law.

A good portion of federal funding to local law enforcement in major cities is earmarked for items related to national interests, including counterterrorism. On the other hand, community policing efforts and intelligence-led policing can be vital to counterterrorism, allowing law enforcement to collect more information from communities who trust them, and thus catch terrorism plans long before they come close to fruition.

This roundtable will explore this conundrum in depth, with perspectives from immigration, terrorism, and law enforcement scholars.

Sub Unit

• Area XIII: Roundtable Sessions

Division of Special Interest

• Divisions of Special Interest / Division on Terrorism & Bias Crime

Chair

• Charles A Lieberman, Monroe College

Discussants

• Andrew Costello, NYIT

• Maria Haberfeld, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• Daniel Lee Stageman, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY