When Republican

governors

governments Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida transported and flew migrants to Los Angeles

,

New York, Washington, D.C. and other so-called “sanctuary cities,” they might have imagined exporting the same chaos border states have experienced as they grapple with historic numbers of migrants

during the past years

. They wanted leaders in these cities to admit they were wrong about their immigrant-friendly policies.

Earlier this month, Abbott sent migrants to Los Angeles by bus. And DeSantis has admitted to sending two planeloads of migrants on two charter flights to Sacramento a few days earlier, luring them with false promises of housing, shelter and legal aid.

But Abbott and DeSantis are mistaken if they think they are teaching cities with refuge police a lesson with their inhumane political stunts or making their leaders rethink their commitment not to treat migrants as criminals.

Those governors and their political allies also seem confused about what it means for cities to have sanctuary policies. While policies vary, providing safe havens means migrants will not be turned over to federal immigration authorities simply because they are in the country illegally. It means treating them like people in need rather than pawns.

That’s what leaders in Los Angeles, Sacramento and other “sanctuary cities” did as buses and planes dump dozens of tired and often confused migrants at their doorsteps in recent months. They gathered attention and resources while being religious and other non-profit organizations

s organizations

stepped up to welcome the migrants with shelter, food and clothing. In some cases, these migrants have even found temporary employment, illustrating the need for their labour.

Abbott and DeSantis may also not realize that shelter policies are designed to help law enforcement keep communities safe. Sanctuary policies were developed because police in many cities, such as Los Angeles, were frustrated with undocumented immigrants not reporting crimes or coming forward as witnesses for fear of deportation.

Critics say these sanctuary cities have laws and policies that protect criminals and hinder federal immigration policies.

But

According to several studies, cities with shelter policies have lower crime rates, higher household incomes, and lower poverty rates.

Local authorities did not refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement, as critics claim. They just limited the role

of that federal enforcement takes up

local law enforcement

in immigration matters

For example,

by not using the local police to conduct immigration checks

or by failing to detain an undocumented immigrant

already

a few more days in custody

serve for the schemes of the federal authorities. to and not using the local police to conduct immigration checks.

Los Angeles is in the midst of a city’s transition from sanctuary to sanctuary city. The difference is more than just semantics. The former designation is little more than a statement made by city leaders in 2017 that they oppose then-President Trump’s inhumane anti-immigrant policies, including separating young children from their parents. Some of those children still need to be reunited with their parents years later. Earlier this month, the city council voted to strengthen the policy by banning city personnel or resources from being used for immigration enforcement.

It is true that the transports of migrants by the governors of Texas and Florida

to unsuspecting states

have been difficult for cities

places

like Washington

DC

and New York

City

which have had to scramble to find

and fund

housing and other resources

to help these migrants

. But they have done nothing to undermine the foundation on which reception policies are built.