Peter Lee opposes Senate Bill 557, which would make Hawaii a sanctuary state, because he thinks it would increase crime (“Hawaii shouldn’t be a sanctuary state,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 3). However, just the opposite is true.

First of all, the bill does not provide undocumented immigrants with any protections that are not available to anyone else. Instead, SB 557 limits the assistance that local police provide to federal immigration enforcement agents. Hundreds of jurisdictions across our country have adopted similar legislation.

The federal administration wants to deputize local police to act as federal immigration enforcement agents who can ask anyone they come into contact with about their immigration status. That could be the first step toward deportation for undocumented immigrants, so they fear contact with the police. They are reluctant to report crimes and to come forth as witnesses to crimes, making our communities less safe for everyone.

SB 557 should be adopted because it helps to maintain community safety.

John Kawamoto

Kaimuki

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