Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Federal Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Immigrant advocates tell Council federal agents are ‘kidnapping’ neighbors; attorneys call for records and oversight
Summary
Dozens of community witnesses, legal advocates and service providers testified that federal immigration enforcement and local policing have combined to terrorize immigrant and Black communities; they urged MPD transparency, rescinding chief orders that enable data sharing, and immediate oversight hearings of MPD leadership.
A large portion of the Dec. 4 hearing was devoted to testimony by immigrants, legal services providers, faith leaders and advocacy groups who said federal enforcement activity in Washington, D.C., often played out with MPD present and enabled by local policies. Attorney Elizabeth Paige White described two clients she represents who were shot at by HSI during traffic stops and said investigators have not released body‑worn camera footage. “The body worn camera was on lockdown,” she said of evidence.com access.
Advocates from Ayuda, Legal Aid DC, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and numerous mutual‑aid groups delivered personal accounts of detentions they said were conducted without warrants and of families permanently disrupted by deportation. Several witnesses demanded that the council press the mayor and the MPD to rescind Chief Order 25‑005 (cited during testimony) and to require that officers identify federal partners present during stops and in arrest reports. The ACLU and public‑interest lawyers urged passage of local measures that would compel identification and data reporting when federal agents are present at MPD stops.
City officials acknowledged the complexity of coordinating with federal partners that have broad authorities in the District and said existing MPD policies and roll‑call training seek to limit unlawful cooperation. Deputy Mayor Lindsay Appiah and MPD leadership said some incidents mentioned to the committee are under investigation and stressed that officer‑involved shooting investigations are conducted by MPD and referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The committee requested follow‑up from agencies on specific incidents, body‑worn camera access and the mechanics of MPD‑federal coordination.
