Alamosa police chief: department will assist ICE only in criminal or officer-safety matters
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Summary
Chief Dingfelder told the City Council that the Alamosa Police Department will cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a criminal nexus exists or officer safety is at issue, and will not participate in enforcement actions based solely on immigration status.
Alamosa Police Department leadership clarified the department’s stance on cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), telling the City Council the department will assist ICE only when criminal charges, a criminal nexus, or officer-safety concerns exist.
"The Alamo Police Department will cooperate with immigration customs enforcement ICE to support them in instances when there are criminal charges or criminal nexus involved and for backup when officer safety concerns arise," Chief Dingfelder read to the council. "We will not participate in any roundup operations by ICE solely due to immigration status."
Dingfelder added: "We do not have the authority nor does our role as local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. That role is the role of the federal government. Our role is to enforce city ordinances and state laws and most importantly ensure the safety of our community."
The chief prefaced the statement by saying the message had been shared internally with department staff and externally with media and local contacts. Council members acknowledged the clarification and did not request further policy changes during the meeting.
No public comments were recorded on the topic during the meeting.