WASHINGTON – Federal immigration officers would be barred from wearing the word “police” on their uniforms under new legislation to help undocumented immigrants distinguish between the NYPD and deportation agents.
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn) said she’ll introduce legislation Thursday to address growing fears immigrant communities have of federal immigration and border patrol agents.
“Not only are ICE raids an unconscionable attack on our most vulnerable communities, any attempt by immigration officers to deceivingly pose as local police ought to be prohibited,” Velázquez said in a statement.
New York City is a sanctuary city where police don’t turn over undocumented immigrants to federal authorities for minor crimes. Advocates believe the policy leads to safer neighborhoods and more effective policing because undocumented immigrants are more willing to come forward and talk to police.
ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agents using “police” on their vests have confused immigrants into letting federal agents into their homes without a warrant, immigration advocates say.
“I’ve heard firsthand from families who fear reporting crime or engaging with the police due to the potential of getting caught up with immigration agents,” Velázquez said. “This only makes our communities less safe.”
Velázquez raised her concerns Wednesday with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly about the lack of training among ICE and CBP agents.
She previously introduced legislation to block state and local police from being deputized as ICE agents to nab undocumented immigrants.
With President Trump, who campaigned on cracking down on sanctuary cities and illegal immigration, in the White House the chances of Republicans in Congress signing off on the bill seems unlikely.