D.C. moves to limit information-sharing about illegals

D.C. moves to limit information-sharing about illegals

May 08, 2012 -- 8:00 PM
Alan Blinder
Examiner Staff Writer

A D.C. Council committee on Tuesday unanimously backed a measure that would sharply limit the D.C. jail's power to hold suspected illegal immigrants for federal authorities.

Under the proposal, the District would only hold adults who had been convicted of dangerous or violent crimes within 10 years. Additionally, the city would detain the individuals for a maximum of 24 hours and only if the federal government agreed to reimburse the District for holding them.

"The Metropolitan Police are there to keep the District safe and not to do the bidding of others," Ward 4 Councilwoman Muriel Bowser said.

The proposed policy, at-large Councilman Phil Mendelson said, would be similar to guidelines in place in Chicago, New York City and San Jose, Calif.

"Civil immigration enforcement is the realm of the federal government, not local governments," said Mendelson, who warned that allowing easy federal access to inmates could severely damage the trust between the community and law enforcement.

The measure is poised to win easy approval from other legislators: When Mendelson introduced the plan in November, every sitting member of the council signed on as supporters.

The proposal is part of an effort by lawmakers to curtail the city's participation in Secure Communities, a federal program that requires local law enforcement agencies to share details about arrestees with immigration officials.

"We know that Secure Communities is coming," Bowser said. "This is going to be a step in the direction of making sure that an immigrant mother who needs help from the police can call the police."

Under an executive order from Mayor Vincent Gray, District agencies are already limited in how much they can partner with immigration authorities.

The order, which Gray signed in October, bars District law enforcement officers from asking an individual about his or her immigration status.

"We're not going to be instruments of federal law," Gray said at the time.

ablinder@washingtonexaminer.

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