Recent developments indicate an increasing level of cooperation between the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department and federal immigration agencies. This partnership, structured around the exchange of information related to immigration status and enforcement actions, has sparked considerable debate across civil rights organizations. Critics argue that such collaboration risks eroding community trust in local law enforcement and could lead to the unintended targeting of vulnerable immigrant populations, undermining principles of privacy and equal protection under the law.

Key concerns raised by civil liberties advocates include:

  • Potential violations of Fourth Amendment rights, due to warrantless data sharing and surveillance practices.
  • Chilling effect on immigrant communities,…