LAPD Works To Calm Fears Of Mass Deportation During Trump Presidency
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — There were words of reassurance for the dozens of people who showed up at the LAPD's Rampart Division meeting Tuesday night.
Ten-year-old Siomara Monroy says she came with her undocumented mom, who worries she'll be deported under President-elect Donald Trump's policies on immigration.
"Donald Trump could deport them, and I'll never see her again," Siomara said.
In early November, Trump told CBS' "60 Minutes" that he plans to deport up to 3 million illegal immigrants.
But the LAPD says they want to quell those fears by holding multiple meetings across the city.
"We're out here basically reassuring the public that it's not the LAPD's job to enforce immigration laws." LAPD Capt. Jonathan Tom said.
Chief Charlie Beck has also said the LAPD will not help with deportation efforts under Trump.
Instead, federal authorities are automatically alerted when an undocumented immigrant is taken into custody.
But critics say the LAPD should hand over those criminals directly to the feds.
"They somehow think that the federal government should give them money when they're not doing what the law requires," Marguerite Telfort, of the Center for Immigration Studies, says.
But the LAPD said even if they lose federal funds they won't change their policy.
Since 1979, the LAPD has worked under Special Order 40, a policy that keeps officers from initiating contact with someone just to see if they are in the U.S. legally.
Daniel Morales, who works with the MacArthur Park community, says it's important for the LAPD to hold these meetings to dispel the rumors.
After questions were answered, Siomara says she feels her family will stay together.
"I'm happy when I heard that they're not sending everyone back and they're going to be with us."
