Part 3/10:
The 1996 Legislative Clarification
In 1996, Congress made it explicitly illegal for jurisdictions to prevent their law enforcement agencies from communicating with immigration authorities like ICE. The law stipulated that local agencies can’t prohibit their staff from sharing immigration-related information. Despite this, some jurisdictions, including Los Angeles County, continue to prohibit such communication, effectively flouting federal law without facing significant legal consequences.
This creates a legal gray area where federal law and local policies conflict, but enforcement remains sporadic. The lack of penalties emboldens sanctuary policies and complicates federal immigration enforcement efforts.