NYPD Commissioner Reminds Cops to Ignore President Trump’s Immigrant Deportation
NYPD commissioner reminds cops to ignore President Trump’s immigrant deportation orders
BY ROCCO PARASCANDOLA LEONARD GREENE
Updated: Thursday, February 23, 2017
Don't count on the NYPD to help with President Trump’s directive to round up undocumented immigrants.
Police Commissioner James O’Neill had a defiant message for the President on Wednesday — saying his officers will not enforce administrative warrants issued by federal immigration officials as a result of the expansive deportation policies.
“It is critical that everyone who comes into contact with the NYPD, regardless of their immigration status, be able to identify themselves or seek assistance without hesitation, anxiety or fear,” O’Neill said in the sharply worded, 431-word internal memo to police officers.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopo...g23n-1-web.jpgNYPD top cop James O'Neill said his department is concerned only about detaining immigrants "who have been convicted of a violent or serious felony, or are on the terrorist watch list."
(SUSAN WATTS/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)
“The NYPD does not conduct civil immigration enforcement. Specifically, this department does not enforce administrative warrants issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or federal immigration judges solely in connection with civil immigration violations.
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“For example, the NYPD does not arrest or detain individuals for immigration violations such as overstaying a lawfully issued visa. However, the NYPD does and will continue to honor federal immigration detainers when there is a risk to public safety.”
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopo...g23n-2-web.jpgThousands of people gathered in Washington Square Park to protest Trump's travel ban executive order on Jan. 25.
(CHASE GAEWSKI FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)
Although the memo was directed to “the men and women of the New York City Police Department,” its message was in stark contrast to the directives issued by Trump’s Homeland Security Department.
On Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called for any undocumented immigrants to be deported if they have been convicted or even charged with a criminal offense, “have abused any program related to receipt of public benefits,” or “have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter before a governmental agency.”
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopo...government.jpgPresident Trump discusses the federal budget over lunch in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Wednesday.
(OLIVIER DOULIERY/POOL/EPA)
That means undocumented immigrants who have committed even minor traffic infractions, received any government assistance or used fake Social Security numbers to be able to work — common offenses among the immigrants — could be shipped out of the country.
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City officials have already been at odds with the feds over the Trump administration’s plan to slash federal funding for “sanctuary cities” like New York.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopo...front-0223.jpgThe front page of the Daily News on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.
(NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)
O’Neill also reminded officers that the department “accepts the city’s IDNYC as a valid and recognized form of government-issued identification, including for the issuance of summonses and desk appearance tickets.”
The government has estimated approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., a number backed by nongovernmental organizations like the Pew Research Center.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.2979616
