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Chief Andy Harvey Named New LEITF Co-chair PHARR, TEXAS — Chief Andy Harvey of Pharr, Texas — on the border with Reynosa, Mexico — is a new co-chair of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force. Harvey currently serves as Police Chief and City Manager of Pharr and has been outspoken about the need for better […]
Aug 02June 28, 2022 Law Enforcement Leaders React to Migrant Tragedy in San Antonio WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday nearly 100 migrants were found in an abandoned semitrailer in San Antonio. Subject to extreme heat and other inhumane conditions, at least 50 migrants have died and others are in critical condition. Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) […]
Jun 28DACA Anniversary: Congress Must ‘Finally Build a Bridge of Opportunity’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ten years after Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was announced, law enforcement leaders continue to urge Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution for recipients and other Dreamers. Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) members believe that DACA helps them build trust […]
Jun 13Law Enforcement Officials Call for Better Border Solutions WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local law enforcement leaders are underscoring the need for a better approach to the border, and calling on Republicans and Democrats in Congress to come to the table and forge solutions. Members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task […]
Apr 15U Visas Help Local Law Enforcement WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local law enforcement leaders are underscoring the importance of U visas to community safety, as well as trust among immigrant residents. A report this week from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General raises concerns with the U visa program. Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force […]
Jan 12Law Enforcement Leaders Praise Magnus Confirmation WASHINGTON, D.C. — On a 50-47 bipartisan vote Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, a longtime member of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF), as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In July, more than 65 law enforcement leaders signed a letter urging senators to […]
Dec 08WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security’s updated immigration enforcement priorities, announced Thursday, continue to target national security and public safety threats. In addition, the priorities reaffirm that unauthorized status alone should not be cause for enforcement actions. The following are quotes from members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF): Chief Art Acevedo, Miami; […]
Oct 01WASHINGTON, D.C. — Law enforcement leaders across the country have joined a growing group of bipartisan lawmakers, faith leaders, and communities nationwide voicing their commitment to welcoming Afghan refugees. Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and mounting threats from the Taliban, thousands of Afghan allies and their families are seeking safety abroad, including in the […]
Sep 01WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of a pending Senate confirmation hearing, more than 65 law enforcement leaders have signed a letter urging the swift confirmation of Tucson, Arizona, Police Chief Chris Magnus as Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Magnus is a longtime member of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force. The letter highlights his dedication to public safety while […]
Jul 21Following U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen’s decision Friday that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is unlawful, which blocked new applications, the following are quotes from local police chiefs who are members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force. For additional context on the decision, please see this explainer from the National Immigration Forum. […]
Jul 20WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of a Senate confirmation hearing today, more than 60 law enforcement leaders have signed a letter urging the swift confirmation of Harris County, Texas, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sheriff Gonzalez, a Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force co-chair, was nominated to lead the immigration enforcement […]
Jul 20WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new policy that will improve access to work permits and deferred action for immigrant crime victims with pending U visa cases. Currently, U visa petitioners wait about five years before having their U visas adjudicated, but can receive deferred action and work authorization while their U visa petitions […]
Jun 17Law Enforcement Officials Respond to Gonzalez Nomination WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to an announcement that President Joe Biden will nominate Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force co-chair and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the following is a statement from fellow LEITF co-chairs Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo; Fresno […]
Apr 27Law Enforcement Officials Respond to Magnus Nomination WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden will nominate Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force member and Tucson, Arizona, Police Chief Chris Magnus to lead Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to the White House. In testimony before a U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee in December 2018, Magnus stressed the importance of […]
Apr 12WASHINGTON, D.C. — Law enforcement leaders are urging Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients following today’s United States Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration did not provide an adequate justification for ending DACA, allowing it to remain in place. The ruling comes after the Trump […]
Jun 18WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 80 local law enforcement leaders sent a letter to members of Congress today in support of legislation that would expedite the citizenship process for family members of fallen public safety officers. The Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act would allow a surviving spouse, child or parent of a U.S. citizen […]
Dec 02WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 50 local law enforcement leaders have posted an open letter to immigrant communities underscoring their commitment to serving all community members. In the letter, also posted in Spanish, signatories highlight the importance of community trust in maintaining public safety, and the importance of a strong relationship between law enforcement and immigrant […]
Aug 29WASHINGTON, D.C. — Law enforcement leaders sent a letter today to the president, vice president and Homeland Security Secretary, urging better conditions for migrant children in detention. The 42 Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force members who signed the letter call on the administration to “minimize the detention of children” and “invest in the trained personnel and […]
Aug 14WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sixty-seven local law enforcement leaders sent a letter to Senate leadership today voicing support for a bill that would help the families of first responders who die in the line of duty. The Kerrie Orozco Act, which passed the House in September, would permit a surviving spouse, child or parent of a U.S. […]
Dec 10Click here for a recording of today’s press call WASHINGTON, D.C. — Law enforcement leaders expressed grave concerns about children who remain separated from their parents during a press call today. Following President Trump’s executive order on Wednesday, police chiefs called for a plan to reunite children with their families and objected to the potential […]
Jun 21WASHINGTON, D.C. — The co-chairs of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force have sent a letter to members of Congress today urging a legislative solution for Dreamers. The letter is co-signed by co-chairs Sheriff Margaret Mims of Fresno County, California; Chief Tom Manger of Montgomery County, Maryland; and Chief Art Acevedo of Houston. “Our support for […]
Dec 14WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sixty police chiefs, sheriffs and law enforcement leaders today sent a letter to members of Congress to express support for a bipartisan legislative solution that would allow Dreamers to remain in the country. “We support measures allowing law-abiding people to feel safe and secure in their communities, which reinforce trust and cooperation with […]
Oct 02WASHINGTON, D.C. — Police chiefs and sheriffs are speaking out today about legislation that would undermine their ability to ensure public safety and work with immigrant communities.
Jun 28WASHINGTON, D.C. — Police chiefs
Feb 07WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local law enforcement
Jan 26WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of a vote
Oct 20WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a Senate
Jul 21Rather Than Target ‘Sanctuary Cities,’
Jul 15