LA Mayor Directs Airport and Harbor Police Not to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws

LOS ANGELES, CA — Mayor Eric Garcetti signed an executive directive Tuesday that prevents the city's harbor and airport police from enforcing federal immigration laws, following a similar policy that has been in place by the city's police department for decades.

The move was made as part of the Cities' Day of Immigration Action, which was organized by the United States Conference of Mayors. Sixty-five mayors from around the country are taking part in the day of action to help promote immigrants' rights.

"This is a day I think when mayors are standing up for universal American values," Garcetti said on a conference call with reporters and the 65 mayors. "We are standing alongside our police chiefs, our faith leaders, our legal advocates, our business leaders and community advocates to reaffirm our commitment to our immigrant residents."

The executive order directs the other police agencies to follow Special Order 40, the Los Angeles Police Department's policy that has been in place since 1979. It prohibits officers from initiating any police activity for the sole purpose of identifying someone's immigration status.

The executive order Tuesday also bars any city employee from assisting any federal agency where the primary purpose is federal civil immigration enforcement.

"All residents must feel safe and supported when accessing the vast array of city facilities, programs, and services available to them," the order states.

In January, the USCM adopted a resolution calling for federal immigration legislation that eliminates obstacles to citizenship for the estimated 10 million to 12 million immigrants living in the country illegally.

"Mayors speak a common language, which is action. I think all the mayors on this call are just too pro-family to see families divided, are too pro-law enforcement to see our law enforcement officials turned away from their local law enforcement responsibilities to become immigration agents," Garcetti said during the press call.

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait was the second speaker during the call. Tait, a Republican, is co-chair of the USCM's Immigration Reform Task Force along with Providence, Rhode Island Mayor Jorge Elorza, who is a Democrat.

"The symbolism should not be lost," Tait said on the choice of a West Coast Republican and an East Coast Democrat to co-chair the task force. "This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, or an East Coast, West Coast issue. This is a bipartisan -- as Mayor Garcetti mentioned -- universal value issue."

Garcetti also plans to participate in a "Know Your Rights" workshop at 6 p.m. at the Dolores Mission Parish is Boyle Heights, and Tuesday morning took a part in a "Know Your Rights" phone bank.

Tait authored an op-ed it Tuesday's Orange County Register calling for comprehensive immigration reform.

"We strive to be a city where neighbors know each other, care for one another and build our social fabric," Tait wrote. "Fixing our immigration system will strengthen our interactions with those we serve, and, ultimately, allow us to fulfill our mission to be a city of kindness."

By CRAIG CLOUGH, City News Service; Photo courtesy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement