Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Honolulu vs Waipahu
How do sanctuary policy preemption rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Waipahu, HI?
Honolulu and Waipahu have similar restriction levels.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu adopted Resolution 17-78 declaring itself a Welcoming City and HawaiΚ»i limits state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement under HRS Β§28-12, though the framework stops short of a full sanctuary statute.
View full Honolulu rules βWaipahu, HI
Honolulu County
Hawaii has not enacted a statewide sanctuary law nor a statewide preemption forbidding sanctuary policies. Counties and city governments such as Honolulu have adopted their own policies governing local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
View full Waipahu rules βKey Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Waipahu |
|---|---|---|
| City policy | Resolution 17-78 (2017) | - |
| State limit | HRS Β§28-12 (Act 64) | - |
| ICE detainers | Require judicial warrant | - |
| HPD posture | No status inquiries | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
Will HPD ask about immigration status during a stop?
No. HPD policy and Resolution 17-78 instruct officers not to inquire about civil immigration status during stops, calls, or interviews unless directly relevant to a state criminal investigation.
Does the city honor ICE detainers?
Generally no. HRS Β§28-12 prohibits honoring civil immigration detainers without a judicial warrant. Federal criminal warrants are honored under standard interagency procedures.
Waipahu FAQ
Is Hawaii a sanctuary state?
Hawaii has no statewide sanctuary law, but several counties including Honolulu maintain limited non-cooperation policies.
Can Hawaii counties adopt sanctuary policies?
Yes. The state has not preempted county authority to set local immigration-cooperation policies.
Do Hawaii agencies honor ICE detainers?
Practices vary by jurisdiction. Honolulu generally requires a judicial warrant, while other agencies follow internal directives.
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