WHEREAS, immigration laws have been long established by federal or national law in countries across the globe, and most law enforcement officers swear an oath to uphold the laws of their nations; and

WHEREAS, immigration laws are primarily enforced by the federal or national law enforcement agencies of the country tasked with this as their mission to enhance national security; and

WHEREAS, it is important that federal and national law enforcement agencies receive the full support of all law enforcement agencies regardless of the level of government to protect their communities and countries from infiltration by foreign terrorist and criminal elements; and

WHEREAS, immigration enforcement is a complex and challenging issue for communities and the police agencies that serve them, and public trust is the cornerstone of contemporary policing and is today critically important for policing efforts in a community to be successful; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement executives recognize that criminal enforcement of immigration law could have a chilling effect on community cooperation in reporting crime or assisting in criminal investigations; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement executives at all levels are likely the most knowledgeable about public safety concerns in the communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, the scope and extent of state, tribal, and local law enforcement participation in the enforcement of criminal violations of federal immigration law is inherently a local decision but should not conflict with any existing federal or state criminal law or regulation; and

WHEREAS, operational awareness and deconfliction with local authorities during all enforcement operations are imperative to ensure there is not a negative effect on public or officer safety; and

WHEREAS, the safety of all law enforcement officers is a paramount responsibility of all law enforcement agencies, and it is crucial that all law enforcement officers respond to requests for emergency assistance from any law enforcement personnel in the performance of their sworn duties. Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police fully supports the rule of law and the role of federal or national law enforcement agency partners tasked with immigration enforcement as their primary mission and recognizes the responsibility of all state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to come to their aid in any officer safety situation; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP also supports the position that non-federal enforcement of criminal violations related to immigration law is a decision best made by local, state, and tribal police executives in collaboration with elected officials, community leaders, and the citizens they serve.

Submitted by: Committee on Homeland Security and Transnational Crime Committee

Co-sponsored by: Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Committee

HOM.06.19