Members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) took an unusual step this weekend to directly engage with the city’s immigrant community, seeking to quell rising concerns about the department’s role in immigration enforcement. The meeting took place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where officers addressed a Latine congregation worried about potential deportations and their legal rights.
LAPD Reassures Community: ‘We Do Not Enforce Immigration Laws’
The Sunday service was transformed into an opportunity for dialogue between the LAPD and the community. Commander German Hurtado, who serves as the department’s Hispanic community liaison, addressed the congregation to clarify critical misconceptions regarding the LAPD’s involvement in immigration enforcement.
“There are fears in the community that the Los Angeles Police Department will be deporting people or works with immigration, and that’s not true,” Commander Hurtado assured the crowd. These words aimed to ease the anxiety of a community that has been historically vulnerable to immigration-related policies, especially as tensions have flared in the aftermath of political changes at the national level.
LAPD’s Longstanding Policy on Immigration
Commander Hurtado referred to Special Order 40, a policy that has been in effect since 1979, which strictly prohibits LAPD officers from using their authority to enforce immigration laws. Under this policy, LAPD officers cannot initiate actions based on an individual’s immigration status nor arrest someone solely for being in the country illegally.
“We’re not here to ask people where they were born, how they got to the United States, or their immigration status,” Hurtado explained to the congregation. “We don’t participate in any civil immigration laws.” The policy was designed to build trust between the police and immigrant communities, ensuring that people feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with law enforcement without the fear of deportation.
While the federal government has jurisdiction over immigration enforcement, local law enforcement agencies like the LAPD are explicitly barred from assisting with immigration-related arrests or investigations, thus maintaining a separation between local policing and immigration enforcement.
Fear Stoked by National Politics
Hurtado’s remarks came in the context of increased fear and uncertainty among Los Angeles’ immigrant population, particularly in the wake of political rhetoric surrounding immigration reform. The immigrant community has been on edge since President-elect Donald Trump’s re-election, in which he reiterated his plans to pursue aggressive mass deportation efforts. Trump’s promises to deport millions of undocumented individuals have caused many to question the safety of their families and whether they could face removal from the U.S. under a renewed administration.
Trump’s strong stance on immigration enforcement has raised alarms for Latine communities nationwide, and Los Angeles, home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, has felt the ripples of this rhetoric more acutely. Many fear that local police forces, even if not directly involved in immigration enforcement, could be indirectly collaborating with federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This anxiety has been further fueled by reports of federal immigration sweeps in immigrant-dense neighborhoods across the country.
Los Angeles’ Sanctuary City Status
Commander Hurtado worked to reassure the churchgoers that Los Angeles continues to stand as a sanctuary city, committed to protecting and supporting its immigrant residents. The city’s sanctuary status, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, is a critical safeguard for immigrant rights.
“The City of Los Angeles has been a sanctuary city, and we welcome immigrants,” Hurtado said. “We understand they want to contribute and they want to be part of this great city.” His message emphasized the city’s commitment to inclusivity, acknowledging the vital contributions of immigrants to the local economy, culture, and community.
Hurtado’s presence at the church was part of ongoing efforts by the LAPD to engage with communities of color and immigrant groups, ensuring that these populations are informed about their rights and the department’s policies. This outreach aims to foster a sense of trust and collaboration between the police and immigrant families, helping to bridge the gap between law enforcement and those who may feel marginalized or fearful of the system.
The Importance of Community Engagement
The LAPD’s engagement with the community is a crucial element of its broader strategy to combat crime and ensure public safety. Immigrant communities often face heightened fear and suspicion of law enforcement due to concerns over deportation, and these fears can prevent individuals from reporting crimes, serving as witnesses, or seeking help in emergency situations.
Hurtado’s initiative at Immaculate Conception Church reflects the LAPD’s understanding that community trust is paramount. If immigrant families fear deportation, they are less likely to engage with the police or seek assistance when they are victims of crime, which can lead to an increase in criminal activity and harm to vulnerable populations. Through such outreach efforts, the LAPD hopes to reduce these barriers and encourage immigrants to report crimes without the fear of immigration-related repercussions.
The Continued Struggle for Immigrant Rights
While the LAPD’s message was clear and reassuring, many immigrant rights activists and advocates argue that more needs to be done at the local and national levels to protect immigrant communities from the potential dangers of deportation. Although Los Angeles has maintained its sanctuary status, these protections are not immune to changes in federal policy or shifts in political leadership.
Activists have long called for comprehensive immigration reform that would provide a clear path to legal status for undocumented immigrants, secure protections for those in the country without documentation, and prevent family separations. Without such reforms, many immigrant families remain in a state of limbo, constantly at risk of deportation despite their longstanding ties to the U.S.
Organizations like the ACLU and immigrant advocacy groups have repeatedly argued that sanctuary policies should be strengthened and expanded, advocating for broader protections for immigrant communities. These groups also push for greater transparency and accountability from local law enforcement agencies to ensure that police officers uphold their promises not to engage in immigration enforcement activities.
A Shared Commitment to Safety and Belonging
As the conversation around immigration policy continues to evolve, the role of local law enforcement in ensuring the safety and well-being of immigrant communities remains a critical issue. The fears expressed by many members of the congregation at Immaculate Conception Church are not unique to Los Angeles but reflect a broader anxiety within immigrant communities across the country.
Commander Hurtado’s visit was an important step in reinforcing the message that the LAPD is committed to protecting everyone in the city, regardless of their immigration status. Yet, as national debates over immigration continue to unfold, it is clear that immigrant communities need more than just reassurances—they need concrete protections and policies that guarantee their safety, security, and right to contribute to society without the constant fear of deportation.
For now, the LAPD remains an ally to the immigrant community in Los Angeles, continuing its outreach efforts to build trust, educate residents about their rights, and reassure them that their status will not be a barrier to seeking help or reporting crimes. But with the ongoing challenges of immigration reform at the federal level, the work is far from over, and the conversation will need to continue as the nation navigates a complex and contentious issue.
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