Changes to D.C. Immigration Policy
Attorney General Pam Bondy announced a two-page order on Thursday that has rolled back the city’s immigration protections. This new directive also appointed the “Emergency Police Commissioner” for the metropolitan police department in Washington, D.C.
The order, titled “Restoring Safety and Security in the District of Columbia,” canceling previous guidelines that limited the interactions of metropolitan police officers with undocumented immigrants. It appears to target policies associated with sanctuary cities in the capital.
Terry Cole, who is the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Bureau, has been designated as the new “Emergency Police Chief,” which essentially strips Metro Police Chief Pamela Smith of some authority. This shift means that Cole now has claim to all relevant powers and responsibilities.
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Cole will be able to issue general orders and executive directives that apply to all members of the police department. Moreover, existing leadership would need approval before they can officially issue their own directives.
In addition, Bondy retracted three previous orders from the Metro Police concerning illegal immigration issued in the last two years. The most recent of these was an order from Smith on Thursday, which aimed to restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Smith’s guidelines had allowed Metro officials to facilitate some sharing of information on individuals not in police custody, and they provided limited transportation for federal immigration personnel. However, they also prohibited inquiries solely based on immigration status.
According to Smith’s orders, police members were also instructed not to arrest individuals merely on federal immigration warrants unless another criminal warrant exists. However, Bondy’s new order cancelled these stipulations just hours later, also putting a stop to several other general orders related to immigration status inquiries.
Bondy explicitly stated that if any contradictions arise between her order and existing directives from the Metropolitan Police Department, the latter would be invalidated.
The order follows President Donald Trump’s declaration of a state of criminal emergency in the district, which included plans for a federal takeover of local police. This move has already seen a visible increase in federal law enforcement presence and involvement from the National Guard. Just the other night, a collective effort led to the arrest of 45 individuals, including 29 undocumented immigrants.
Bondi emphasized the right for residents, daily commuters, and millions of tourists visiting the Capital to feel safe and free from violent crime. It raises questions about the balance between ensuring public safety and managing immigration enforcement.
