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Press Release Contact Ed Wojcicki, Executive Director Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Statement on Immigrants, Federal Immigration Laws and Local Law EnforcementQuestions about the relationship between immigrants and local law enforcement are arising in response to President Trump’s statements and executive orders on immigration issues. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police affirms the “Statement on Immigration-Related Executive Orders” from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), which is copied here in its entirety: IACP Statement on Immigration-Related Executive Orders Posted on January 30, 2017 by iacpblog “On January 27th, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order on “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States .”While recognizing that the measures outlined in the executive order were implemented so to enhance the security of the United States, the IACP believes that to minimize confusion and ensure the effectiveness of these changes, it is critically important that they be implemented in a carefully thought out and structured fashion. Both law enforcement officials in the United States, and their international partners, need clear guidance on the impact that these adjustments will have on their daily operations and the changes that may be required to their policies and procedures. “There have also been recent reports that the Trump Administration is considering using state and local law enforcement agencies in the apprehension and removal of illegal aliens in the United States. To be clear, President Trump’s January 25th Executive Order (Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of theUnited States) only directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to use his existing authority under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to enter into voluntary agreements with state and local agencies to perform immigration enforcement duties. This approach is consistent with the efforts of previous administrations and is dependent upon the consent of the state or local entity. “However, the IACP has, and will continue to strongly oppose any initiative that would mandate that state and local law enforcement agencies play a role in the enforcement of federal immigration law. The IACP believes that the issue of state, tribal, or local law enforcement’s participation in immigration enforcement is an inherently local decision that must be made by law enforcement executives, working with their elected officials, community leaders, and citizens.”
End of IACP Statement
From the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police:Federal authorities have the primary responsibility to enforce immigration and other federal laws. In local law enforcement, we seek a balance between the current national discussion about immigration and what we do every day: help keep our communities safe and enforce state laws and local ordinances. By reminding our communities of our role, we do not intend to suggest that we turn our backs on federal law or federal authorities. We cooperate in many ways and will continue to do so. But our search for balance also means this: Local law enforcement will help all people in any way possible in response to calls for service. We always have and always will. Regardless of anyone’s immigration status, we will help anyone in need of assistance from injury, assault, accident, theft, and so forth. We want all people living in our communities to report crimes, accidents, and suspicious activity to us. We do not want people to fear that federal authorities will be notified after the local police respond to their calls or pull them over for a traffic stop. Beyond the legal limits, any attempt on our part to target non-criminals would jeopardize our ability to protect our communities and keep our citizens safe. NOTE: ILACP = Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police IACP = International Association of Chiefs of Police |