As a researcher on immigration policies and a strong supporter of the Ho‘okipa Bill, I want to correct Peter Lee’s misinformation on Senate Bill 557 (“Hawaii shouldn’t be a sanctuary state,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 3).

SB 557 does not prohibit Hawaii police departments from enforcing any existing laws. It simply ensures that Hawaii does not use its own money and law enforcement personnel to do the work of the federal government.

SB 557 actually will improve public safety. Threatening undocumented immigrants with deportation if they interact with Hawaii’s police officers as witnesses or victims of crime harms all of us, regardless of our status.

Nandita Sharma

Associate professor, Department of Sociology

University of Hawaii at Manoa

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