Immigrant Sanctuary Policies and Crime-Reporting Behavior: A Multilevel Analysis of Reports of Crime Victimization to Law Enforcement, 1980 to 2004

Sanctuary jurisdictions have existed in the United States since 1980s. They recently reentered U.S. politics and engendered contentious debates regarding their legality influence on public safety. Critics argue that sanctuary create conditions threaten local communities by impeding federal immigration enforcement efforts. Proponents maintain policies improve safety fostering institutional trust among immigrant increasing willingness of community members to notify police after they are victimized. In this study, we situate expectations from literature within a multilevel, contextualized help-seeking framework assess how crime-reporting behavior varies across contexts. We find Latinos more likely report violent crime victimization law been adopted metropolitan areas residence. social policy contexts can shift nature experiences eliminate barriers undermine victims’ mobilize law. Overall, study highlights unique role serve structuring decisions.