In a move that has sparked controversy, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara has declared that his department will not engage in immigration enforcement.
This announcement comes just days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. O'Hara stated, "Any participation in immigration enforcement would have a chilling effect on our commitment to bias-free, community-oriented policing."
As reported by The Post Millennial, the department issued an updated immigration policing policy on Thursday. The changes, according to the department, are designed to offer clear guidance to officers during a time when community concerns are particularly prominent. This comes at a time when Trump has pledged to initiate mass deportations of illegal immigrants residing in the United States immediately after assuming office. The city of Minneapolis is home to an estimated 81,000 illegal immigrants.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that the department has maintained a policy of non-involvement in federal immigration law enforcement for over two decades. The recently updated policy underscores this stance, stating that the enforcement of civil and criminal federal immigration laws is solely the responsibility of the federal government.
OHara further clarified his department's position, saying, I recognize that the fear of deportation prevents some people from calling the police in times of need or to report crime. I want to be clear that enforcement of civil immigration laws falls exclusively with the federal government it is not the job of the MPD. Any participation in immigration enforcement would have a chilling effect on our commitment to bias-free, community-oriented policing.
The revised policies prohibit officers from inquiring about a person's immigration status and introduce sections on U Visa and T Visa certifications. These certifications, under federal law, grant temporary legal status to victims of trafficking and witnesses of certain crimes. However, the policy of non-involvement may be waived in cases involving human trafficking and smuggling where immigration status is a component of the crime.
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