Trump Admin. Calls Burlington Co. A 'Sanctuary' Locale, Shocking County Officials

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Burlington County officials cannot figure out why the county was included on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's list of "sanctuary jurisdictions," released Thursday.

The list includes more than 500 jurisdictions — mostly cities and counties — that "obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws," the DHS says.

"Sanctuary" jurisdictions typically refer to locations where governing bodies have instituted measures preventing or restricting their law enforcement agencies from providing information or collaborating with federal immigration officers. But there is no universal definition.

However, Burlington County's elected governing body — the Board of Commissioners — has not approved any such measures in recent years, according to a spokesperson for the county government.

"It comes as a surprise that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security labeled Burlington County a 'sanctuary jurisdiction' and accuses the County of not following the law, without citing any examples," county spokesperson David Levinsky told Patch via email. "Our County received no notification or explanation from U.S. Department of Homeland Security in advance of the agency's announcement."

The list is a result of President Donald Trump signing an executive order last month requiring the DHS and the nation's attorney general to publish a list of jurisdictions they claim are obstructing federal immigration laws. The DHS says its online list will be regularly updated.

"Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes," the webpage says. "DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens."

New Jersey is a self-identifying sanctuary state. In 2018, the state's then-attorney general implemented a directive limiting law enforcement's involvement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement so that immigrants feel safe reporting crimes.

Several cities and towns have passed their own sanctuary policies.

Although the state's directive applies to all non-federal law-enforcement agencies in New Jersey, Burlington County itself does not identify as a sanctuary jurisdiction.

"The facts are that the Burlington County Commissioners approved no resolutions, policies or directives related to immigration enforcement during the past six years," Levinsky said. "In fact, the current Burlington County Department of Corrections policy concerning immigration detainers is unchanged since 2017 when President Trump was first in office and Republicans held all five seats on the Burlington County Board of Commissioners."

All of the county's current commissioners are Democrats.

"Burlington County has and will continue to follow the law and look to the Attorney General for guidance relative to any shifts in policy," Levinsky continued.

The list is part of President Trump's changes to immigration enforcement following campaign promises to deport millions of immigrants who are living in the country illegally.

President Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal funding from sanctuary jurisdictions, but those efforts have largely been shot down in court.

Despite his repeated claims that such immigrants threaten public safety, the American Immigration Council found that immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, commit crimes at a lower rate than people born in the United States.

"The scapegoating of ethnic and religious minorities is well-tread historical ground in the United States, and immigrants have always made for an easy target," the national organization said. "Chinese, Irish, Italian, Muslim, Mexican—all these people and more have been falsely accused of bringing crime into the United States, particularly during times of economic or political unease."