Washington DC Police Chief stated in an administrative order on Thursday (August 14th) that DC officers, including those conducting traffic stops, are now allowed to share information about individuals who have not been detained with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a memo, DC Police Chief Pamela Smith mentioned that officers can provide information about individuals who have not been detained by the police and can also provide transportation for ICE employees and detainees.
However, the order instructed officers not to solely query any database for an individual’s immigration status, not to query immigration status for civil immigration law violations or enforcement without other criminal arrest warrants or probable cause, and not to arrest based solely on federal immigration orders or detention orders.
President Trump commented on Thursday at the White House that the Metropolitan Police Department’s administrative order in Washington DC was a “great step.”
“When they catch these illegal immigrants, find out that they’re illegal immigrants, they report them, and then they bring them over to us. It’s a very positive thing,” he said. “I heard that just happened. If they really do that, it’s a great step. Yes, I think this might happen all over the country. We want to stop crime.”
Earlier on Monday, the Trump administration ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Washington DC, taking control of the police department, Union Station, and other areas to combat crime in the capital, arrest illegal immigrants, and address issues such as street homelessness. Numerous federal agencies participated in this large-scale enforcement operation. 45 people were arrested on Wednesday night alone, with 29 of them being illegal immigrants.
White House Border Czar, Tom Homan, stated on Fox News on Wednesday night, “Under federal control, Washington DC will not become a sanctuary city. We are working hand in hand with law enforcement, who will transfer criminals and illegal aliens to ICE, and they should.”
He also mentioned, “Not every illegal immigrant in DC is a criminal, but many are… Illegal foreign criminals in DC are not protected, they have no sanctuary here.”
According to Axios, Washington DC is considered a sanctuary city, although Mayor Muriel Bowser has denied it, stating that the city’s law enforcement has collaborated with ICE in the past. However, the city has several policies supporting illegal immigrants, including allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections and restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb posted on X on Monday, protesting the government’s actions as “unnecessary and unlawful,” claiming, “There is no crime emergency in the District of Columbia; violent crime reached a 30-year low last year and has decreased by 26% so far this year. We are considering all options and will take necessary measures to protect the rights and safety of District residents.”