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Velazquez Seeks to Block Immigration Feds from Identifying as Local Police

July 11, 2019

Velázquez Seeks to Block Immigration Feds from Identifying as Local Police

Washington, DC – As the Trump Administration continues threatening immigration raids and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) is working to prohibit immigration officers from wearing any clothing bearing the word "police". Her bill, H.R. 3498 would apply to entities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

"Due to this President's heartless policies and hateful rhetoric, immigrant communities are on edge, living in fear of deportation and detention," said Velázquez. "As we continue opposing the threat of raids and mass deportation, we must also prevent practices which foster distrust between police officers and immigrant communities, such as when ICE agents misidentify as police."

By displaying the word "police" on their uniforms, immigration officers blur the line between law enforcement and immigration officials. Critics contend that conflating the two means immigrants are less likely to cooperate with local law enforcement when there are serious crimes.

"New York City is a sanctuary city and that means we don't cooperate with the Trump Administration's immigration policies," said Velázquez. "Our immigrant neighbors need to know that NYPD is not working with ICE and that they can report crimes and law breaking to local police. When there's confusion between immigration enforcement and law enforcement, all of us are made less safe."

Velazquez's bill, the "Combating Deceptive Immigration Enforcement Practices Act," drew support from a wide range of immigration advocacy groups. It has been endorsed by Transformations CDC, South Asian Network, Reformed Church of Highland Park (NJ), Alianza Americas, SEIU 32BJ, Asian American Federation, Central American Legal Assistance, Hispanic Federation, Carroll Gardens Association, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Council Of Peoples Organization; Make the Road NY, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice, Inter-faith Coalition on Immigration, MN; LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (KCS), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Asian American Arts Alliance, African Communities Together.

"So many of the detention stories we hear through the MigraWatch hotline are those where local police are collaborating with ICE to incarcerate more and more people. We also know that many of these agents will pretend to be civilians while they walk around waiting for their next target," said Cynthia Garcia, DACA recipient and United We Dream Deportation Defense Hotline Manager. "These deceitful practices create chaos and make our communities less safe. We are glad to see Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez introduce the Combating Deceptive Immigration Enforcement Practices Act. It's an important step towards our vision for the country, a place where immigrant young people like myself and my family can live and thrive without the fear of being detained and deported."

"The potential lack of distinction between ICE agents and the local police force creates confusion and distrust of local police not only among immigrants, but among our neighbors, the churches, and our schools. This fear and fracture in trust spills into every public institution—an effect that runs contrary to New York's status as a sanctuary state," said Therese R. Rodriguez, CEO of Apicha Community Health Centers. "At Apicha Community Health Center, we see the result. We aim to provide all New Yorkers a safe space where they can get the health services they need. Currently, there are people who need our services who might be afraid to walk through our doors. We believe creating a clear distinction between local police and ICE agents will improve safety, trust, and unity."

This bill has been co-sponsored by twenty-two of Velázquez's colleagues including three Members of Congress from New York City. It has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

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