Cooperation of state and local law enforcement agencies are an integral piece of Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan. The federal government’s reliance on state and local law enforcement in this unprecedented assault on immigrants will inevitably increase police and carceral contacts with vulnerable communities and, consequently, expose the public to avoidable police violence and civil rights violations.
State and municipal elected officials have an opportunity to shield their communities from this unnecessary harm—and protect themselves from the increased liability attendant to these harms. At a minimum, cities, counties, and states can implement “sanctuary” legislation and policies to stop police departments, sheriffs’ departments, jails, and prisons from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Policy White Paper
In our policy white paper, we outline the legal and policy problems that result from state and local law enforcement coordination with ICE as well as options to limit cooperation. The paper also provides policy recommendations to maximize protections for immigrant communities by limiting law enforcement contacts with all residents.