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Available to download in PDF Introduction In June 2022, 53 migrants from Mexico and Central America were discovered dead in the back of a tractor-trailer in San Antonio.[1] These migrants sought to support their families, flee poverty and violence, and pursue better lives. Many had already overcome harrowing conditions to reach the U.S. border […]
Jun 22LEITF Session during “Welcoming Interactive” conference in Detroit, Michigan On May 21, members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) participated in the Welcoming Interactive conference, which brought together hundreds of participants and leaders to share best practices and strategies related to immigrant inclusion in the United States. During the conference, which was held […]
Jun 26Washington, D.C. — The co-chairs of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) are voicing their support for the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Act, a bill reintroduced early this week by Reps. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) and Dave Min (D-California). The bill would allow a surviving spouse, child or parent of a U.S. citizen first responder who died in […]
Jun 13Chief Fabian Valdez joined the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) earlier this year. In this interview, Chief Valdez shares aspects of his leadership style that he hopes to promote transparency, compassion, and community-centered policing. The chief’s responses have been edited for length and clarity. What challenges did you face transitioning from the San […]
May 28Chief Robert Rodriguez joined the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) earlier this year. In this interview, Chief Rodriguez shares aspects of his story and journey as a former undocumented immigrant, his path to citizenship through military service, and his career in law enforcement. The chief’s responses have been edited for length and clarity. […]
Mar 07Available in PDF here. The Honorable Tom McClintock Chairman, Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement 2138 Rayburn House Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Pramila Jayapal Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement 2138 Rayburn House Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman McClintock and Ranking Member Jayapal: Since 2015, […]
Mar 03The Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) has announced a new addition to its leadership team. Chief Ruben Quesada of Swampscott, Massachusetts, is a new co-chair, joining co-chairs Chief Chad Kasmar (Tucson, Arizona) and Chief Ramon Batista (Santa Monica, California). “I am deeply privileged to work with LEITF thought leaders to help find sensible immigration reform […]
Feb 25The National Immigration Forum’s Leading the Way convening, held from November 12–14, 2024, brought together leaders, advocates, and community members across the business, law enforcement, and faith communities committed to advancing immigration reform. This annual event not only explored innovative policy solutions but also celebrated the remarkable work of individuals making a difference. A significant […]
Dec 23Introduction As the incoming Trump administration pledges to involve local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement, this memo seeks to assist such agencies in maintaining community trust. While there are legal limits on compelling local law enforcement to carry out federal enforcement policies, expanding local law enforcement’s role in immigration matters could significantly affect community […]
Dec 23Introduction President-elect Trump, along with key advisors, have said that the second Trump administration will feature mass deportations aimed at removing the entire unauthorized population in the United States, currently estimated at 11 million people. Beyond targeting the current undocumented population, President-elect Trump has periodically suggested that groups with temporary legal status, including Temporary Protected […]
Dec 23By former Chief of Police, Richard Biehl (Dayton, OHIO) Seventeen years ago, I was appointed police chief of Dayton, Ohio. Not even a month into this role, I received an email that would drastically reshape my career and set me on a path to better serve Dayton’s immigrant communities. The email described the deep fear […]
Oct 17Available in PDF here. The Honorable Tom McClintock Chairman, Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement 2138 Rayburn House Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Pramila Jayapal Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement 2138 Rayburn House Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman McClintock and Ranking Member Jayapal: Since 2015, the Law Enforcement […]
Sep 19Sheriff David Hathaway (Santa Cruz County, Arizona) testified during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled, “A Country Without Borders: How Biden-Harris’ Open-Borders Policies Have Undermined Our Safety and Security.” Full testimony can be found here. Video: House Homeland Committee Hearing on How Borders Policies Affect US Safety and Security
Sep 18On May 8th, 2024, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and police officer Mitchell Soto-Rodriguez testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to reaffirm the vitality of Dreamers to our communities. Officer Soto-Rodriguez of Blue Island, IL, had dreamed of being a police officer since her sophomore year of high school, when a car […]
Sep 03Chief Sean McDonagh started his journey as a police officer in 1999 in Australia and moved to the United States to continue his career in late 2016. At a very young age, a family friend in law enforcement inspired his career choice by giving McDonagh a police hat. His career in public service includes stints with […]
Jul 29Available to download in PDF On May 1, 2024, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed into law House Bill 1105, the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024. In part, this sweeping state legislation requires Georgia’s local agencies to aggressively pursue agreements with the federal government to help enforce immigration laws, clarifies […]
Jul 03Available to download in PDF T Visas Final Rule T nonimmigrant status (commonly referred to as a “T visa”) allows noncitizens who are victims of sex or labor trafficking in the United States to remain in the country for an initial period of up to four years as long they assist law enforcement in […]
Jun 27Each year on June 20, the world comes together to celebrate the contributions and honor the courage of refugees around the globe. Refugees have been forced to leave their home countries due to conflicts and fear of persecution. Today, nearly 110 million people around the world are considered forcibly displaced, including 2.4 million refugees in […]
Jun 20After serving as interim chief, Chito Walker was appointed Chief of Police for Charleston, South Carolina in November 2023. He is not only the Chief of Police but a longstanding member of the Charleston community, having been a part of the Charleston PD since starting his career in law enforcement. Although Charleston looks very different […]
May 31DES 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 15April 2024 Co-Chair Chief Ramon Batista speaks about important immigration principles that should be upheld throughout this election year: February 2023 Retired Chief Mark Prosser on why he joined the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force: May 2022 Why did you join the LEITF and how has it benefitted your department? When immigrants […]
Apr 03In the face of officer shortages throughout the state of Illinois, the state Legislature passed a law in July 2023 allowing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to become police officers. House Bill 3571 took effect Jan. 1, permitting police departments to hire noncitizens who are legally authorized to work. Chief Geoffery Farr of […]
Apr 02Washington 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 28Washington, 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 22Q&A with Chief Thomas Thompson (Dayton, OH) – Sinclair Community College Chief Tom Thompson began his law enforcement career in 1995 as a patrol officer with the Miamisburg Police Department in Ohio. In 2022, Thompson became Chief of Police of the Sinclair Community College Public Safety Department. He is the founder and Executive Director of […]
Feb 12What did you enjoy most about attending Leading the Way in Houston this year? What is your biggest takeaway? I truly enjoyed making connections with individuals from a broad spectrum of expertise and professions. It is an opportunity to discuss the challenges we face as a nation as it revolves around immigration reform, pathways to […]
Jan 22Santa 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 10Available to download in PDF Introduction The production and transportation of illicit fentanyl is not exclusively an immigration issue, but it is connected to the larger conversation around the U.S.-Mexico border. The smuggling and prevalence of illicit fentanyl impacts border communities in unique ways, creating distinctive challenges and placing local law enforcement on the front […]
Dec 21Available to download in PDF Dr. Ruben Quesada became a police officer to protect everyone’s rights. So when state legislators in Arizona tried to use local law enforcement like him to crack down on unauthorized immigration, he and many of his colleagues felt torn. Enacted in 2010, Arizona’s S.B. 1070 was notoriously the harshest anti-immigrant […]
Dec 20On October 13, members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) met in San Diego, CA. The LEITF aims to create a channel of communication between local law enforcement agencies and the federal government to work on shared issues related to reforming our county’s broken and outdated […]
Dec 15Located in northwest Iowa, the small city of Storm Lake boasts one of Iowa’s most ethnically diverse communities. The Storm Lake Police Department recently shared their success story of implementing inclusion programs in their community to increase trust in law enforcement and community. While Iowa may not be the most diverse state in the country, […]
Nov 06Before the 1990s, drug trafficking and human smuggling were two separate forms of transnational criminal activity. Human smuggling was a business that operated on a smaller scale, run by local families living along the border. Whereas drug trafficking has always been a large-scale business. But since then, many administrative and legislative initiatives have been implemented, […]
Oct 31Chad Kasmar is the Chief of Police in Tucson, AZ, and a co-chair of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force. He shared with us one of the biggest concerns he deals with at the intersection of local law enforcement and immigration: the exploitation activities of cartels. In recent years, news outlets have increasingly reported on […]
Oct 03Congressional Testimony of Ramon Batista Chief of Police Santa Monica (California) Police Department Hearing on “The Consequences of Criminal Aliens on U.S. Communities” Before the Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. July 13, 2023 Watch video here. Chair McClintock, Ranking Member Jayapal, and […]
Jul 13Available to download in PDF Overview The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on May 23, 2023 its first Department-wide policy on body-worn cameras (BWCs). The policy includes a phased, nationwide implementation of BWCs for the Department’s officers and agents, pending the necessary funding from Congress to purchase and maintain the equipment. The […]
Jul 11Americans have become increasingly concerned over the growing fentanyl crisis. In 2021, there were over 70,000 overdose deaths attributed to synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. This number is a drastic increase from the 5,544 deaths recorded in 2014. Last month, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called fentanyl the “single greatest challenge we face as […]
Apr 28Task 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 25Police departments across the United States continue to face staffing shortages as they struggle to recruit and retain officers. A national survey conducted in 2022 by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) found that the number of new officer hiring was down 3.9% in 2021 compared to 2019 and there were 23.6% more officer retirements. […]
Feb 28On January 8th, President Biden visited the US-Mexico border for the first time since taking office amid growing pressure and criticism from Republicans and Democrats about the state of the country’s immigration system. Although his visit to El Paso was brief, Biden met with Border Patrol officers, members of Congress, and other leaders in the […]
Jan 30Introduction Over the last ten years, cyclical increases in migrant arrivals at the Southwest border have posed major logistical, humanitarian, and security concerns. Border security and immigration policy are chiefly under the jurisdiction of the federal government. However, with border encounters reaching record totals in recent years, there has been growing interest in the role […]
Dec 23This explainer provides an overview of U.S. v. Texas, the legal challenge to the Biden administration’s immigration enforcement priorities that was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on November 29, 2022. The questions being considered by the Supreme Court and their implications – with potentially significant impacts on immigrants, agency authority, and the relationship between […]
Dec 02Sixteen states and the District of Columbia currently allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. On July 1, 2023, Rhode Island will join this list when legislation passed this June goes into effect. Massachusetts may also join the list, if voters approve the Work and Family Mobility Act in the upcoming November election. What is […]
Oct 28After 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 06Chief 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 02Q&A with Chief Ruben Quesada Chief Ruben Quesada is the Police Chief of the Swampscott, Massachusetts Police Department. Prior to becoming Chief, he served in the Mesa, Arizona Police Department for more than two decades. Chief Quesada holds a Doctor of Education from Grand Canyon University, where he completed his dissertation: “Shades of Brown and […]
Jul 28By Sheriff Garry McFadden (Mecklenburg County, NC) Gov. Roy Cooper was right to veto the bill that forced N.C. sheriffs to work with ICE. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. When police chiefs and sheriffs are forced to step in, trust among our communities erodes. My community is safer when all members are able to […]
Jul 19LEITF Members Continue to Support DACA June 15, 2022, marked the ten-year anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This means that for ten years, young immigrants brought to the United States as children have felt safer in their communities because of protection from deportation, the ability to legally work in the U.S., and […]
Jun 30June 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 13Title 42 and the Need for Better Border Solutions The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on March 30, 2022, that the use of Title 42 at the border will be suspended starting on May 23. Originally put in place during the Trump administration, this pandemic-era policy allows Customs and Border Protection (CBP) […]
Apr 29Law 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 15Orange County Sheriff’s Office’s AAPI Liaison Program In 2020, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. reported 8,263 hate crime incidents to the FBI, the highest number of hate crimes reported since 2008. The FBI defines a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an […]
Mar 11U 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 12Protecting Immigrants who Cooperate with Law Enforcement at Both the Local and Federal Level Background The issue of trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement has been important in building cooperative relationships. Police chiefs, sheriffs and other law enforcement officials are well-aware of the damage that can be done to their relationship with immigrant […]
Jan 07Building Cooperation Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities: Impactful Policies and Promising Solutions Community policing policies are the cornerstone of effective law enforcement. These policies recognize that state and local law enforcement need the trust of the public, including immigrants, because fostering trust allows law enforcement to better understand and protect the communities they […]
Jan 07Law 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 08Q & A with Chief Ramon Batista Chief Ramon Batista is the police chief in Santa Monica, CA and is currently serving as a LEITF Senior Advisor. Chief Batista has 35 years of law enforcement experience and was previously the chief in Mesa, AZ. How did you first come to be involved in the LEITF? […]
Nov 18Biden Administration’s Updated Immigration Enforcement Priorities Note: this resource serves as an update to the LEITF’s previous publication comparing the Obama, Trump, and Biden administration immigration enforcement priorities. On September 30, 2021, DHS released Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law, new immigration enforcement priorities that emphasize the use of prosecutorial discretion to seek […]
Oct 27WASHINGTON, 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 01By ret. Chief Ramon Batista (LEITF Senior Advisor) With the departure of American forces from Afghanistan and the ensuing arrival of evacuees from that country to ours, I can’t help but think about the role that American policing will play in their lives. I look to the future and think about the impact these new […]
Sep 28WASHINGTON, 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 01When immigrants feel safe in their communities, we all benefit. To ensure public safety, it is critical for law enforcement officers to build effective relationships with members of their respective communities – regardless of background or immigration status. To learn more about how police departments can build trust with immigrant communities, the LEITF reached out […]
Sep 01Backgrounder: Jurisdictions Permitting LPR Hiring To download a PDF version, click here. Police departments and sheriff’s offices across the United States continue to struggle to find qualified candidates to serve as officers. While most jurisdictions require that law enforcement officer candidates be U.S. citizens, a growing number have removed citizenship as a requirement for candidates, […]
Aug 17From paying taxes to filling labor needs to cooperating with local law enforcement, immigrant communities are crucial to the health and safety of American communities. To ensure that these vital individuals can continue to make important contributions to our communities, we must look to form strong relationships between immigrant communities and law enforcement based on […]
Jul 30WASHINGTON, 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 21July 21, 2021 Dear Members of the Senate, President Joe Biden has nominated Chief Chris Magnus (Tucson, AZ) to lead Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A longtime member of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF), Chief Magnus is committed to supporting policies that promote law enforcement’s ability to protect all members of their communities, […]
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 20July 13, 2021 Dear Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, President Joe Biden has nominated Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of Harris County, TX to serve as the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A co-chair of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF), Sheriff Gonzalez is a proven leader on issues […]
Jul 15In this episode of Only in America, Ali Noorani spoke with Chief Mike Brown of Salt Lake City, Utah to discuss the intersection of immigration and law enforcement, and how immigrant members of the Salt Lake City community have been vital to local law enforcement through their Explorers Program. Chief Brown, who has been chief […]
Jun 30LEITF Members Support the Nomination of John Tien for DHS Deputy Secretary May 24, 2021 As law enforcement leaders and members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force, we are writing to support the confirmation of John Tien for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Deputy Secretary role […]
Jun 21WASHINGTON, 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 Voices at the Border According to data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), over 178,000 immigrants were stopped trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in April. This 21-year high in monthly apprehensions was largely comprised of single adults, who are rapidly expelled under the pandemic-era Title 42 rule. Recidivism rates are also high, […]
May 28The Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force recently published a resource comparing the enforcement priorities of the past two administrations with the interim priorities of the Biden administration. To read the full paper, click here. Enforcement priorities describe how federal immigration enforcement agencies use their resources to arrest and/or remove non-citizens. Through the Obama, Trump, and […]
Apr 30Law 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 27For PDF version, click here. What is the Byrne-JAG Program? The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (“Byrne-JAG”) is a formula grant program that provides federal criminal justice funding to law enforcement agencies across the United States. Byrne-JAG provides states, territories, tribes, local governments, and governmental agencies with nearly $250 million of annual […]
Apr 27For a PDF version, click here. Congress first acknowledged the precarious position of immigrant victims of crime in 1994 with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The bill specifically focused on victims of domestic abuse, who were often forced to choose between reporting the crime to law enforcement—risking loss of possible legal […]
Apr 27For a PDF version, click here. 10/27/21 update: On September 30, DHS released Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law, new immigration enforcement priorities that emphasize the use of prosecutorial discretion to seek targeted enforcement. For updated information on these priorities from the Biden administration, please click here. Introduction Over the past decade, the […]
Apr 22Law 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 12In light of humanitarian crisis at the Southern border – and particularly the recent increase in unaccompanied migrant children seeking asylum at the border – the White House provided a briefing for members of the National Immigration Forum’s Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) and Council on National Security and Immigration (CNSI) on Monday, March […]
Mar 31Q and A with Chief Carmen Best (Ret.), Seattle Police Department, LEITF Senior Advisor How did you first come to be involved in the LEITF? Several years ago, I was serving as Deputy Chief of the Seattle Police Department. Kathleen O’Toole, our Chief at the time, had tasked me with building and strengthening relationships between […]
Feb 26The Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act On December 31, 2020, the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act (MPURA), S.2174, was signed into law. This legislation is one of the only bipartisan efforts on immigration to become law in a long time. It was introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and co-sponsored by then-Senator Kamala […]
Jan 28Letter Supporting Alejandro Mayorkas for DHS Secretary As law enforcement leaders, we are writing to support the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas for the position of Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mayorkas has a wealth of valuable experience in DHS leadership roles and has previously been confirmed three times by the U.S. Senate, […]
Jan 15LEITF Members Express Support for Mayorkas DHS Nomination President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Alejandro Mayorkas to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mayorkas served as director of USCIS under President Barack Obama and was instrumental in implementing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He later became the deputy DHS secretary, a role […]
Dec 21The LEITF and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) have put together a resource inventory of promising practices and programs for immigrant and refugee outreach. The list of programs includes brief summaries and contact information for agency personnel who can provide further details about the programs. The programs have been organized by the following topics: […]
Dec 08WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of Election Day, the following is a statement by leaders of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force: “In this contentious year and election season, we respect and support people’s right to peaceful protest. We will not stand for violence or intimidation, on the part of anyone. We are committed to protecting […]
Nov 02Why We Need to Make It Easier for DACA Recipients to Serve in Law Enforcement LEITF member Andrew Smith is Chief of Police of the Green Bay (WI) Police Department. The Green Bay Police Department first became involved in the national conversation around the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in late 2018. At […]
Oct 29Chris Blue is the police chief of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Trump administration’s latest changes to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) only underscore what we already know: Congress should act to protect tens of thousands of North Carolina Dreamers — our neighbors — from deportation. The administration announced that it will not accept […]
Sep 18Zoraida Arias is the U-Visa/T-Visa Program Manager for the King County (WA) Sheriff’s Office. This is a newly created position under the leadership of LEITF member Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, and Zoraida has been instrumental in helping the KCSO expand its work to assist vulnerable populations. Zoraida has used her extensive experience working with both immigrant […]
Aug 19WASHINGTON, 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 18The Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) collaborated to produce a new report: Building Trust with Immigrant Communities: Best Practices for Law Enforcement Agencies in Smaller Cities and Towns. This report highlights low-cost, innovative strategies that have proven effective in developing relationships with immigrant communities. Fourteen LEITF police […]
May 18Below is a list of resources we hope will be helpful as you continue to work with your immigrant communities. The list includes links to general info on COVID-19 in multiple languages, resources on immigration enforcement as it relates to COVID-19 and health care facilities, information on the relief packages and financial concerns relating to […]
Apr 10WASHINGTON, 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 02December 2, 2019 Dear Member of Congress: We write in support of the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act (H.R. 2378), a bill that would help the families of public safety officers who die in the line of duty. A very similar bill (H.R. 6580) passed the House of Representatives in September 2018 but […]
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 29Dear Immigrant Communities: As members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF), we want to assure you and communities across the country that local law enforcement serves to keep everyone safe. Following the tragic Aug. 3 shooting in El Paso, Texas, and raids the following week in Mississippi, we know that many immigrants in […]
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 14Dear President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Acting Secretary McAleenan: As law enforcement leaders dedicated to preserving the safety and security of our communities, we write to express our concern about the reports of possible unacceptable conditions for children in the custody of the federal government. We are members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task […]
Aug 14News Articles Featuring LEITF Members The Des Moines Register: Opinion: A solution from Congress for Dreamers would help law enforcement in Iowa and beyond Op-ed by Chief Michael Tupper (Marshalltown, IA), August 1, 2021 Iowa Public Radio: Iowa Law Enforcement State Their Support For DACA Features Chief Michael Tupper (Marshalltown, IA) and Ret. Director of […]
Aug 12FACT SHEET: Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Program What is the WSO program? U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the launch of the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program on May 6, 2019. ICE called the WSO program “a new collaborative program intended for local law-enforcement that wish to honor immigration detainers but are prohibited […]
Jun 04On February 14, 2019, 15 members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force met with DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in Washington, DC. Task Force members in attendance included Chiefs and Sheriffs from across the country. During the meeting, Task Force members and Secretary Nielsen discussed a number of topics at the intersection of federal immigration […]
Feb 15Dear President Trump and Members of Congress: As law enforcement leaders who support commonsense immigration reforms consistent with public safety, we write to express our deep concern with the partial shutdown of the federal government. State and local law enforcement work constructively with federal law enforcement to combat drug trafficking, gangs, organized crime, and other […]
Jan 22Chief Chris Magnus (Tucson, AZ) and Chief Art Acevedo (Houston, TX) provided testimonies to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration on December 12, 2018 for a hearing entitled “Narcos: Transnational Cartels and Border Security.” See below for their written testimonies. Chief Chris Magnus (Tucson, AZ) Chairman Cornyn, Ranking […]
Dec 19WASHINGTON, 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 10The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Charles SchumerMinority LeaderUnited States SenateWashington, D.C. 20510 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: We write in support of the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act (H.R. 6580), a bill that would help the families of first responders who die in the […]
Dec 10Deputy Chief Chad Kasmar (Tucson, AZ) Tucson sits just over an hour north of the Nogales, Sonora, border and we serve a diverse population of more than 535,000. On Sept. 18 and 19, 2018, I was invited to attend a Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) trip, in conjunction with Bibles, Badges, and Business for […]
Sep 20INTRODUCTION While immigrants are part of the communities we serve, they are also fellow officers and colleagues working alongside us. We decided to publish these profiles of immigrants working with us to protect our communities and promote public safety to highlight some of the men and women on whom we rely to help America be […]
Jun 29Speaker Paul Ryan United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Majority Leader Mitch McConnell United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Minority Leader Charles Schumer United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Speaker Ryan, Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader […]
Jun 27FACT SHEET: Immigrants and Crime Introduction The issue of public safety and immigration is of keen interest to law enforcement officials. Recent public discourse has raised questions: Are immigrants, particularly undocumented immigrants, more prone to commit crime? Will public safety will be improved through tougher immigration enforcement? This brief provides an overview of crimes […]
Jun 26Click 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 21February 15, 2018 Dear Senator: As law enforcement leaders dedicated to preserving the safety and security of our communities, we have concerns about legislative proposals that would attempt to impose punitive, “one-size fits-all” policies on state and local law enforcement. Rather than strengthening state and local law enforcement by providing us with the tools to […]
Feb 15February 13, 2018 The Honorable Raúl Labrador Chairman Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security U.S. House of Representatives 1523 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Zoe Lofgren Ranking Member Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security U.S. House of Representatives 1401 Longworth House Office Building […]
Feb 13WASHINGTON, 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 14December 14, 2017 Dear Member of Congress: As law enforcement leaders who support commonsense immigration reforms to ensure the protection of our communities, we write to express our support again for a bipartisan legislative solution to allow Dreamers — young people brought to the United States as children — to remain in the United […]
Dec 14FACT SHEET: Immigrant Youth and MS-13 MS-13 has its roots in the U.S. Many young immigrants who fled Central America because of ongoing civil wars in the 1980s arrived in Los Angeles. They found that local American street gangs dominated the scene. They reacted by forming a gang of their own, which became […]
Dec 12WASHINGTON, 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 02October 2, 2017 Dear Member of Congress: As law enforcement leaders who support commonsense immigration reforms to ensure the protection of our communities, we write to express our support for a bipartisan legislative solution to allow Dreamers – young people brought to the United States as children – to remain in the United States […]
Oct 02FORUM POLICY National Immigration Forum *An updated resource is now available: Reviving 287(g) Agreements Under the New Administration: Implementation, Concerns, and Implications Introduction Congress created the 287(g) program in 1996 to increase federal immigration enforcement capacity. Voluntary agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) enlist and authorize state and local […]
Sep 08LAURENCE BENENSON Assistant Director for Policy & Advocacy National Immigration Forum Introduction No formal, legal definition of the term “sanctuary jurisdiction” exists in the U.S. Code or under federal regulations. Some define “sanctuary jurisdiction” as one that fails to cooperate with the federal government as required by a once-obscure provision of the Immigration and […]
Sep 08Click here to see a PERF report, U Visas and the Role of Local Police In Preventing and Investigating Crimes Against Immigrants.
Sep 01WASHINGTON, 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 28Permission Would Bolster Recruitment, Diversity
Jun 16LAURENCE BENENSON Assistant Director for Policy & Advocacy National Immigration Forum Click here to read the white paper, “A Path to Public Safety: The Legal Questions around Immigration Detainers.” So-called sanctuary jurisdictions have caused great controversy. Lost amid the debate is the fact that, whatever their approach toward immigrants, most state and local law […]
Feb 27WASHINGTON, D.C. — Police chiefs
Feb 07WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local law enforcement
Jan 26WASHINGTON, D.C. — In advance
Jul 06WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of a vote
Oct 20WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a Senate
Jul 21The Honorable Trey Gowdy
Jul 21Rather Than Target ‘Sanctuary Cities,’
Jul 15