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Immigration Enforcement Cooperation Linked to Safer Cities, Data Shows
Most of America’s safest cities are located in jurisdictions that actively cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a recent analysis of U.S. News & World Report’s safety rankings. However, experts note that other factors like wealth, development patterns, and zoning laws may play equally significant roles in creating safer communities.
The majority of the ten safest cities on U.S. News & World Report’s list are situated in states or counties with laws directing municipal authorities to coordinate with federal immigration enforcement. This cooperation often takes the form of 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement agencies to work directly with ICE on immigration matters.
Johns Creek, Georgia, ranked as the safest city in America, operates under state laws requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Georgia recently enacted the Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024, which mandates that local police forge agreements with federal authorities to assist in immigration enforcement. Jurisdictions failing to seek such cooperation risk losing state funding.
“If you are in our country illegally and committing crimes, you have no place in Georgia,” Governor Brian Kemp stated after signing the legislation into law.
The findings reveal a complex relationship between immigration enforcement and public safety. While most of the safest cities enforce cooperation with ICE, notable exceptions exist. Centreville, Virginia, ranked second safest, presents a mixed picture. Located in Fairfax County, where the prosecutor’s office has made headlines for noncompliance with ICE detainers, Centreville benefited until recently from Virginia’s state police cooperation with federal authorities through a 287(g) agreement under former Governor Glenn Youngkin. Current Governor Abigail Spanberger reversed this policy upon taking office in January.
Sammamish, Washington, and Newton, Massachusetts—ranked eighth and third respectively—represent further exceptions to the trend. Both cities are located in states with laws limiting cooperation with ICE. Newton operates under a “welcoming city” ordinance, while Washington state’s Keep Washington Working Act precludes most cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The remaining cities on the list fall under jurisdictions with strong pro-cooperation stances. Flower Mound, Texas (ranked 10th), is located in Denton County, which was the first North Texas county to shift from the passive “jail model” 287(g) agreement to the more active “task force model,” allowing officers to detain individuals based on suspected immigration violations.
“It’s what we do—we enforce the law and it’s the law of the land,” Denton Sheriff Tracy Murphree told Dallas’ ABC affiliate.
Florida, home to Homosassa Springs (5th) and Weston (9th), maintains one of the country’s most stringent state pro-cooperation policies through the TRUMP Act of 2025 (Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy). Despite Homosassa being in conservative Citrus County and Weston in liberal Broward County, state law places both cities under identical immigration enforcement requirements.
Indiana’s Carmel and Fishers (ranked 7th and 6th) operate under Senate Enrolled Act 181, which authorizes the state attorney general to sue local authorities refusing to enforce immigration laws. Governor Mike Braun has implemented a 287(g) task-force model for Indiana State Police on interstates near these Indianapolis suburbs.
Rochester Hills, Michigan, the fourth safest city, is patrolled by Oakland County, where Sheriff Michael Bouchard has a long history of cooperation with ICE. When Oakland County appeared erroneously on a Trump administration non-cooperation list, officials quickly clarified: “We are not a sanctuary jurisdiction.”
Nationwide, 39 states plus Guam have at least one agency with a 287(g) agreement. Only Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Connecticut have state laws limiting such cooperation, while federal authorities are “pursuing opportunities” in Delaware, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, and Hawaii.
While the correlation between immigration enforcement cooperation and safer cities is notable, urban planning experts emphasize that the safest cities also share other important characteristics, including high median incomes, low poverty rates, and limited mixed-use development or transient rental properties—factors that traditionally correlate with lower crime rates regardless of immigration enforcement policies.
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16 Comments
The data is intriguing, but I have some reservations about the conclusions. Immigration enforcement is a controversial and nuanced topic. I think further investigation is needed to unpack the underlying factors at work here.
Agreed, this is a complex issue that requires a balanced, evidence-based approach. Simplistic narratives should be avoided.
This is an interesting study, but I share the concerns raised about potential confounding factors. The link between immigration enforcement and safety is not straightforward. I’d like to see further research that examines the issue more holistically.
Agreed. Simplistic narratives around immigration and public safety should be avoided. A more comprehensive, evidence-based approach is needed.
The findings seem to suggest a correlation, but correlation does not imply causation. I’d be curious to see how the analysis accounted for confounding variables. More research is needed to understand the dynamics at play.
Well said. Caution is warranted when interpreting studies on sensitive social issues like this.
This is a sensitive and politically-charged topic. I appreciate the factual approach, but would caution against making strong claims about causality without robust evidence. There are likely many factors at play.
Agree, it’s important to look at the full context and not jump to conclusions. This is a complex issue without easy answers.
The findings here are certainly thought-provoking, but I would encourage readers to consider the broader context and limitations of the analysis. Correlations do not necessarily imply causation, especially on complex social issues like this.
Well put. Interpreting studies on sensitive topics requires nuance and an understanding of the inherent complexities involved.
Interesting study, though the link between immigration enforcement and community safety is complex. Wealth, development, and zoning likely play major roles too. I’m curious to see if the data accounts for those other factors.
Good point. The study seems to oversimplify the issue. More nuanced analysis is needed to draw valid conclusions.
While the data presented is interesting, I would urge caution in drawing definitive conclusions. The relationship between immigration enforcement and community safety is multifaceted and likely influenced by a range of socioeconomic factors. Further research is needed.
Agreed. Oversimplifying this issue could lead to misguided policy decisions. A more holistic, evidence-based approach is essential.
While the findings are thought-provoking, I would urge caution in drawing broad policy implications. The relationships between immigration, law enforcement, and community safety are multifaceted and warrant deeper analysis.
Well said. Policymakers should be wary of jumping to conclusions based on a single study. Nuanced, data-driven deliberation is critical on this sensitive topic.