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Webster Groves Police Chief: Department Does Not Enforce Immigration Law, Will Not Adopt 287(g) Agreement
Summary
Chief Vincent Aceves told the council the Webster Groves Police Department does not enforce immigration law, has not adopted and will not adopt a 287(g) agreement, and would only share immigration information with ICE in limited circumstances tied to serious arrests and state reporting requirements.
Webster Groves — Police Chief Vincent Aceves told the City Council Feb. 17 that the Webster Groves Police Department does not enforce federal immigration law and has not and will not enter into a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In a presentation addressing frequent questions, Aceves said, “No. The Webster Groves Police Department does not enforce immigration law.” He explained that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that local officers would not act on immigration complaints; instead the department would refer callers to ICE.
Aceves said Webster Groves has not adopted a 287(g) agreement and would not do so. He described how ICE maintains a public list of participating agencies and indicated only a small number of Missouri agencies participate.
If ICE notifies Webster Groves PD of a planned activity, Aceves said the department may assign officers to monitor for safety — consistent with how courts or other agencies notify local police of operations — and would provide mutual aid if emergency assistance is requested and state law requires it. He also said Webster Groves PD does not routinely report individuals to ICE; however, in cases where a person is arrested for a serious criminal offense and identified as undocumented, the department may notify ICE.
The chief and the city attorney clarified legal reporting requirements. The city attorney said submission of immigration-status data is required under a Missouri governor’s executive order for individuals charged with crimes and that reporting is limited to those in custody on serious offenses, not routine traffic stops. In response to council questions, Aceves said officers should not ask about immigration status during routine contacts where no violation occurred.
Chief Aceves also underscored low complaint levels against officers during his tenure as a sign of community confidence in the department’s conduct.
Next steps: Council members said they will continue constituent engagement on the topic and directed staff to coordinate any follow-up legal clarifications the council requests.
