Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis police chief: Immigration sweeps ‘not our role’
President Trump shuts down CBP One App dashing migrants’ asylum hopes
President Trump pulled the plug on CBP One app leaving many migrants, many waiting for months in Mexico, finding new ways to seek asylum.
Days after President Donald Trump started enacting his plans for mass deportation, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement noting the department has no intention of participating in immigration sweeps.
Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said the department does not have the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and reaffirmed its standard practice of not inquiring about a person’s immigration status during routine investigations.
“We are firmly committed to fostering positive police-community partnerships and ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits our city, Bailey said in the statement. “It is important to emphasize: if you are in Indianapolis and are a victim of a crime or need assistance, we are here to help – regardless of your immigration status.”
President Trump has long promised a crackdown on immigration. In his first few days back in office, he’s declared a state of emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, attempted to end birthright citizenship and suspended refugee resettlement.
Trump has also promised mass deportation raids. As the chief noted in his statement, local police departments can’t enforce federal immigration laws on their own unless they have a specific agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Raids logistically require the cooperation of local police and IMPD is one of several cities that’s issued a statement saying they won’t take part in immigration sweeps. Chicago and Las Vegas departments said the same earlier this week.
Trump’s acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove sent out a memo earlier this week warning that prosecutors will investigate state and local authorities that don’t cooperate with immigration enforcement, Reuters reported.
Similar efforts are happening in the Indiana legislature.
Senate Bill 172 would make it possible to charge a law enforcement officer with a misdemeanor if they refuse to cooperate with state or federal agencies enforcing immigration law. It would also create a misdemeanor against people who create policies preventing police from cooperating in immigration law enforcement. That bill was authored by Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis.
Rep. Garrett Bascom, who represents Dearborn County, introduced House Bill 1393, which would force law enforcement officers to share information with ICE after arresting someone “suspected of not being lawfully present in the United States.”
(This article will update)