Police Won’t Enforce Immigration Laws

A year ago, then-newly appointed Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley assured a local advocacy group that the police have no intention of enforcing federal immigration laws.

On Thursday, he returned with a written draft of a policy on the subject, drawing strong applause.

By making a written policy, Hadley said it will assure undocumented immigrants they are safe in turning to the police for help without fear of being deported.

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Although the draft policy was not distributed, Hadley said it prohibits police from soliciting immigration status for traffic violations and nonviolent crimes.

Hadley said he hopes the draft will be finalized next month after being reviewed by the agency’s two police unions.

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