WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mayor Vincent Gray signed order this week which prohibits police and other public safety officials from inquiring about the immigration status of individuals or to transmit information about their immigration status to federal agencies, except when the status pertains directly to a criminal investigation.
"This executive order ensures public safety by ensuring that our police resources are deployed wisely and our immigrant communities feel safe cooperating with those who are sworn to protect them," Mayor Gray said. "The District is home to thousands of immigrants. If they are afraid to cooperate with authorities on criminal investigations because they fear it might endanger their presence in the United States or the presence of a loved one, then it endangers their public safety and that of our entire city."
In addition to preventing detainment of individuals on the basis of immigration status, the order bars District agencies from making incarcerated youth and adults under their supervision available for federal immigration interviews without a court order.