Qualitative and quantitative research surrounding the sanctuary ordinance and immigration issues beginning in 1989, when San Francisco became a sanctuary city, until present day.

1989 ––––

San Francisco passes the City of Refuge Ordinance (Sanctuary Ordinance) which prohibits City employees from helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with immigration investigations or arrests unless such help is required by federal or state law or a warrant.

1994 ––––

Operation Gatekeeper was a measure aimed at halting illegal immigration to the United States at the United States–Mexico border near San Diego, California. According to the INS, the goal is "to restore integrity and safety to the nation's busiest border."

2001 ––––

Bush establishes the Office of Homeland Security (OHS). OHS manages the EPA Intelligence Enterprise and provides Agency-wide leadership and coordination for homeland security policy; including EPA’s planning, prevention, preparedness, and response for homeland security-related incidents

2006 ––––

Secure Fence Act allows for over 700 miles of double-reinforced fence to be built along the border with Mexico, in the U.S. states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

2012 ––––

President Obama Signs Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to allow some undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to stay in the country.

2016 ––––

The Obama administration has revived the undocumented immigrant “catch-and-release” policy of the Bush years, in which immigrants are released to a community while awaiting a hearing in immigration court. The policy officially ended in 2006 under President George W. Bush