Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force

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Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE: Iowa Police Chiefs: New Immigration Law Threatens Trust Between Community and Law Enforcement

DES MOINES — Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) members in Iowa are sharing concerns regarding a new law’s effect on local communities. Senate File 2340, signed into law last week by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) and expected to go into effect July 1, will allow state officers to arrest migrants who enter the state […]

Apr 15

PRESS RELEASE: Safety, Security Depend on Community Trust in Law Enforcement

Washington D.C. — As Texas law SB 4 remains held up in court, leaders of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) in Texas and elsewhere are expressing concerns about the law and underscoring their commitment to community trust and safety. “We understand this law is a cause for concern for some in our community. The […]

Mar 28

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders Endorse the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act

Washington, D.C. — Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) leaders support and urge further action on a bill that would strengthen penalties for people fleeing U.S. Border Patrol or Federal, State, or local law enforcement while operating a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the U.S. border. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 5585, the Agent Raul […]

Feb 22

PRESS RELEASE: Santa Monica’s Chief of Police Named Task Force’s New Co-chair

Santa Monica’s Chief of Police Named Task Force’s New Co-chair The Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) has announced that Police Chief Ramon Batista of Santa Monica, California, has been appointed as a new co-chair. Batista joins co-chairs Sheriff Ed Gonzalez (Harris County, Texas), Chief Chad Kasmar (Tucson, Arizona) and Chief Michael Tupper (Marshalltown, Iowa). “I am excited about […]

Jan 10

PRESS RELEASE: Task Force’s New Co-chairs Bring Geographic Diversity 

Task Force’s New Co-chairs Bring Geographic Diversity  Police chiefs from Arizona, California and Iowa will serve as new co-chairs of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF). The newly announced leaders are Chief Chad E. Kasmar of Tucson, Arizona; Chief Michael Tupper of Marshalltown, Iowa; and Chief David Valentin of Santa Ana, California. Each has […]

Apr 25

PRESS RELEASE: After DACA Ruling, Law Enforcement Urge Solution from Congress

After DACA Ruling, Law Enforcement Urge Solution from Congress WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the 5th Circuit ruled against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, siding with a lower court’s ruling that the policy is unlawful. The ruling sends the case back to the lower court to determine the legality of the Biden administration’s new rule fortifying DACA, which is slated […]

Oct 06

PRESS RELEASE: Chief Andy Harvey Named New LEITF Co-chair  

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 02

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders React to Migrant Tragedy in San Antonio

June 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 28

PRESS RELEASE: DACA Anniversary: Congress Must ‘Finally Build a Bridge of Opportunity’

DACA 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 13

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Officials Call for Better Border Solutions  

            Law 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 15

PRESS RELEASE: U Visas Help Local Law Enforcement

U 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 12

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders Praise Magnus Confirmation

Law 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 08

Law Enforcement Leaders Respond to New Immigration Enforcement Priorities

WASHINGTON, 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 01

PRESS RELEASE: Afghan Refugees Welcome in our Communities

WASHINGTON, 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 01

PRESS RELEASE: Confirm Magnus Swiftly, Law Enforcement Leaders Urge

WASHINGTON, 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 21

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders Urge Congress to Protect Dreamers

Following 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 20

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Officials Urge Swift ICE Confirmation

WASHINGTON, 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 20

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders Support New USCIS Policy Update for U Visa Petitioners

WASHINGTON, 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 17

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Officials Respond to Gonzalez Nomination

Law 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 27

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Officials Respond to Magnus Nomination

Law 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 12

Law Enforcement on DACA: ‘Congress Still Must Act’

WASHINGTON, 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 18

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders Voice Support for Kerrie Orozco Act

WASHINGTON, 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 02

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders Express Support for Immigrant Communities Amid Fear

WASHINGTON, 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 29

PRESS RELEASE: In Letter, Chiefs and Sheriffs Urge Better Conditions for Children in Detention

WASHINGTON, 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 14

PRESS RELEASE: Law Enforcement Leaders Support First Responders Bill

WASHINGTON, 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 10

PRESS RELEASE: Police Chiefs Denounce Family Separation, Call for Answers

Click 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 21

New Letter: Law Enforcement Leaders Implore Congress to Act on Dreamers

WASHINGTON, 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 14

Law Enforcement Leaders to Congress: Pass a Solution for Dreamers

WASHINGTON, 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 02

Law Enforcement Leaders to Congress: Help Us Promote Safety, Trust

WASHINGTON, 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 28