A pair of Arizona congressmen have signed on to a letter urging the new Homeland Security secretary to cut ties between his immigration enforcement agency and local police.
U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Raul Grijalva were among dozens of members of Congress to sign the letter. It asks for an end to the practice of Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting that local jails hold people longer so agents can pick them up.
Data compiled by Syracuse University show that nearly 2,300 so-called ICE-detainers were issued in Arizona from October 2016 through June 2020.
The letter also urges the end of a program that allows local police to partner with ICE inside jails and to serve warrants. Five law enforcement agencies in Arizona are enrolled.
