The Phoenix City Council has denied a citizen petition aimed at keeping local police from doing immigration enforcement.
Dozens of speakers urged the City Council to approve the resolution.
The acting police chief repeatedly said Phoenix police already do not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
But the federal agency can move to take custody of anyone arrested and booked at a Maricopa County jail. So all local police departments end up working indirectly with ICE.
The Phoenix chief said people aren’t taken to jail for civil traffic tickets. And in cases other than domestic violence, most officers would rather cite someone for a misdemeanor than go through a time-consuming process to formally book them.
More law enforcement news
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The Phoenix Police Department is asking the public for input on a six-page policy: "Interacting with Individuals Experiencing Homelessness." -
An Arizona tribal member got mixed up in a close-call mistake made by local authorities at an Iowa jail after nearly being turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. -
The U-visa is approved in limited quantities to immigrant victims of certain crimes who agree to work with law enforcement. If approved, it provides a path to a green card and a work permit. -
An advocate for the family of a 16-year-old found murdered earlier this month is criticizing White Mountain Apache police for their handling of the girl’s missing persons case. -
The Trump administration could now deny immigrants' visas based on medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
