Research Local Immigration Policies
Dig into your city or county's policies on immigration enforcement cooperation, sanctuary provisions, and immigrant-inclusive services.
Flavor Profile
You tend toward safer approaches while occasionally stepping outside comfort zones
You tend to be motivated by what's wrong, with occasional optimism
You're comfortable both in front and behind the scenes as needed
You often choose substantial, ongoing involvement in causes
Understanding local policies is essential for effective advocacy. Many jurisdictions have policies that either support or undermine immigrant communities—but finding and interpreting these policies takes dedicated research.
What to Research
- Law enforcement policies: Does your police department cooperate with ICE? Under what circumstances?
- Jail and detention: What happens when immigrants are booked into local jails?
- Municipal services: Are services accessible regardless of immigration status?
- Language access: What translation and interpretation services exist?
Where to Look
- City/county council meeting minutes and agendas
- Police department general orders and policies
- Memoranda of understanding with federal agencies
- Budget documents and contracts
How to Share Findings
- Create accessible summaries for community members
- Brief advocacy organizations on your findings
- Develop comparison charts with neighboring jurisdictions
- Present at community meetings
Why This Matters
Policy change starts with understanding current policy. Researchers help identify gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities that advocates can act on.