Background: Senate Bill 7 would eliminate the possibility of sanctuary cities in South Dakota.
Our position: The ACLU of South Dakota opposes Senate Bill 7.
For decades, our cities have had the right to make decisions about how to use taxpayer money and protect South Dakota residents. Senate Bill 7 would eliminate that right, opening the door to local police and local officials disregarding community needs and the will of the people.
Immigration enforcement is a federal issue, not a local or state one, and federal law does not require cities to help with immigration enforcement. Senate Bill 7 would allow local police to ignore local community needs and divert taxpayer money to helping deport and detain our community members for Immigration Customs and Enforcement.
