Los Angeles police to stop transferring immigrants

United States, 5th October: Los Angeles Police Department will stop handing over undocumented immigrants convicted of minor crimes.

This has been revealed by LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) Chief Charlie Beck.

LAPD won’t honor federal requests for undocumented immigrants’ detention—Giving details about the new move, Chief Beck stated that the new rules will become effective early next year. Each year, hundreds of undocumented immigrants are detained for being involved in minor or low-level crimes.

And the new proposal will be a welcome relief for undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles. The changes are being regarded as a dramatic step by the LAPD since it feels US immigration norms treat non-violent immigrant offenders very unfairly.

New rules will exclude detention of undocumented immigrants involved in petty crimes like unlawful vending, drinking in public or driving without a license unless they had any past criminal record.

The proposed rules are going to impact nearly 400 people taken into custody by Los Angeles police officials each year. For the rules to become effective in 2013, they must be approved by a civilian oversight board.

Proposed rules for undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles—Under present rules, LAPD is asked by the USICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agency to hold detainees for 48 hours to enable the immigration agency begin deportation proceedings for undocumented immigrants involved in petty crimes.

But, if new rules become effective, LAPD will not be required to hold non-violent immigrant offenders in custody.

Among the minor crimes could be drinking in public, undocumented vending or caught driving without a license. Discussions are on about the crimes to be considered as non-violent offences.

Aimed to build trust, faith among immigrants in LA—New rules, says Beck, are aimed to rebuild faith and trust among immigrant communities living in Los Angeles. Effective policing is based on community trust, he stated. And he was also against separating parents from their children.

That’s because he has a strong belief that prevention of crimes has a direct relationship with strong families. And deportation of immigrants for misdemeanor arrests proves counterproductive.

Hence, the efforts will be to win back the trust of immigrants in Los Angeles, he affirmed. The announced policy has been welcomed by immigrant rights advocates.