Kalamazoo Michigan Police Chief Jeff Hadley Won’t Enforce Immigration Laws
mlive.com
July 10, 2009
Mickey Ciokajlo
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/...nt_enforc.html
Kalamazoo -- A year ago, then-newly appointed Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley assured a local advocacy group that the police have no intention of enforcing federal immigration laws.
On Thursday, he returned with a written draft of a policy on the subject, drawing strong applause.
By making a written policy, Hadley said it will assure undocumented immigrants they are safe in turning to the police for help without fear of being deported.
"We have people in our community living in the shadows, afraid to come out and seek out help," Hadley told the audience of 600-plus at the Kalamazoo Expo Center and Fairground auditorium.
The assembly was hosted by the Michigan Organizing Project, a West Michigan church-based advocacy group for social and economic change.
Although the draft policy was not distributed, Hadley said it prohibits police from soliciting immigration status for traffic violations and nonviolent crimes.
Hadley said he hopes the draft will be finalized next month after being reviewed by the agency's two police unions.
Also at Thursday's meeting, Kalamazoo City Commissioners Sean McCann, Stephanie Moore and Don Cooney committed to continuing dialogue and pursuing revisions to requirements of employers who receive tax abatements from the city.
In addition, a representative for U.S. Sen. Carl Levin said the Democratic senator supports the Michigan Organizing Project's four principals for comprehensive immigration reform. A representative for U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, said the congressman is committed to continuing dialogue.
Jeff Hadley
Jeff Hadley
Department of Public Safety Chief
150 East Crosstown, Suite A
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 337-8120
talktokdps@kalamazoocity.org
Email page
http://www.kalamazoocity.org/portal/...id=&email=true