WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — In an Executive Order obtained by DC News Now on Thursday, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith made changes to the department’s procedures regarding officers’ cooperation with immigration enforcement authorities.
The changes permit more cooperation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and District police. This comes days after President Donald Trump federalized the police department, initiating a takeover of D.C. police operations for 30 days.
Now, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is able to share information about people who are not in its custody, such as those pulled over during traffic stops. Police may also provide transportation for federal immigration agency employees and detained individuals.
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In short, the order permits MPD to cooperate with ICE in ways it previously could not.
Immigration Enforcement EXECUTIVE ORDER Download
32BJ SEIU Executive Vice President and Latino Caucus Chair Jaime Contreras condemned the order.
“It should horrify everyone that D.C.’s Police Chief has just laid out the welcoming mat for the Trump Administration to continue its wave of terror throughout our city,” he said. “The very institution that is supposed to keep District residents safe is now allowing ICE to jeopardize the safety and lives of hardworking immigrants and their families. Their complicity is dangerous enough but helping to enforce Trump’s tactics and procedures are a violation of the values of D.C. residents.”
32BJ SEIU is a property service workers union with over 21,000 members in the DMV.
“D.C. needs a Chief who will not cave to this administration’s fear tactics aimed at silencing anyone who speaks out against injustice. We call for an immediate end to these rogue attacks that deny basic due process, separates families and wrongly deports hard-working immigrants and their families,” Contreras continued.
Other regulations regarding the agencies’ overlap remain in place, the order noted. MPD members are not permitted to search for a person’s immigration status or enforce civil immigration laws. They also cannot arrest people based solely on federal immigration warrants or detainers.
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