Progressive
leaders can ally with both law enforcement and victims' rights groups by
promoting policies that protect immigrant victims of crime when they contact
the police, and by encouraging community policing efforts in immigrant
communities.
Even
as some states and local communities have promoted local law enforcement to
enforce federal immigration laws, other states and communities have instead encouraged
victims and witnesses of crime, particularly those suffering from domestic
violence, to come forward without fear of police inquiry into their immigration
status.
- In
2008, the Virginia
legislature introduced two bills, SB 441 and HB 307, prohibiting law
enforcement officers from inquiring into the immigration status of any
person who reports being a victim or witness of a crime.
- Rhode Island's proposed HB 7967 offered similar
protections for immigrant victims and witnesses, but also prohibits local
law enforcement from entering into any agreements to enforce federal
immigration laws. SB 2237 would add a
requirement that officers maintain confidentiality if an immigrant's
status is known, and requires training and cooperation with community
organizations to implement the law.
- California and Hawaii both
proposed bills focusing on protecting immigrant victims of domestic
violence. California AJR 42 urges the U.S.
Congress not to change the current policy allowing immigrant victims to
pursue permanent resident status. Hawaii HB 2140 requires the state
Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program to assist
undocumented immigrant victims.
- New Jersey's Attorney General
Anne Milgram issued an August 22, 2007
directive
to law enforcement officers, prohibiting officers from inquiring about or investigating the immigration status of any
victim, witness, or person requesting assistance from the police. The
directive also prohibits racial profiling.
See
also:
