A New York Times review of 18 states targeted by the Trump administration for their "sanctuary" policies found that all cooperate significantly with immigration authorities in cases involving violent crimes. The investigation reveals a complex reality beneath the political rhetoric, where states labeled as uncooperative actually maintain substantial collaboration with federal enforcement agencies.

The review examined jurisdictions that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, discovering that even the most restrictive states honor detainer requests and share information for serious criminal cases. This cooperation extends to violent offenses, felonies, and public safety threats, contradicting claims that sanctuary policies create blanket protection for all undocumented immigrants.

State and local officials emphasize that their policies focus on building trust with immigrant communities to encourage crime reporting and witness cooperation. They argue that full entanglement with federal immigration enforcement would undermine public safety by driving victims and witnesses into the shadows. The findings highlight the nuanced balance between local autonomy and federal immigration priorities that continues to define this contentious policy arena.