Adopted at the 120th Annual Conference

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2013

Recognition of Law Enforcement Concerns in Immigration Reform Discussion

Submitted by: Division of State Associations of Chiefs of Police

SACOP.t0024.2013

WHEREAS, proposals to reform the immigration system and polices of the United States are under consideration by federal elected officials; and,

WHEREAS, this national issue is really a very local one, and local police leaders face a growing set of immigration-related duties in the face of scarce and narrowing resources.

WHEREAS, immigration and border security issues directly impact on the safety of communities and the security of the Nation; and,

WHEREAS, for these reasons, it is imperative that the views and concerns of the law enforcement community be addressed as part of any reform efforts; and,

WHEREAS, it is important that the views and concerns of the law enforcement community be addressed. For example, issues related to illegal or undocumented immigrants are of particular importance because these undocumented immigrants can create a significant volume of calls for service or police action, and there is no way for the police to estimate or budget resources for this unquantifiable service demand; and,

WHEREAS, when an illegal immigrant is the victim of a crime, local police must deal with several issues, the immigration status of the victim, the victimization of the individual, and the crime itself; and,

WHEREAS, immigration enforcement by state and local police could have a chilling effect in immigrant communities and could limit cooperation with police by members of those communities; and,

WHEREAS, Law enforcement agencies depend on the cooperation of immigrants, legal and illegal, in solving all sorts of crimes. Enforcement of immigration by state and local police could cause distrust and drive a wedge between the community and their law enforcement agency; and, now therefore be it

Resolved, that as our elected officials deliberate on changes to the immigration policies of the United States, the International Association of Chiefs of Police urges them to recognize and address the needs and concerns of the law enforcement community.