Ashland Police Chief Issues Statement on Federal Immigration Enforcement

On March 7 Ashland Police Chief Craig Davis issued the following statement on Federal Immigration Enforcement:
“Over the past week, my office has received inquiries from citizens after news reports in the media that the US Department of Homeland Security will be stepping up immigration policy enforcement and may seek to deputize municipal police officers under the federal 287(g) program that allows police officers to enforce immigration law.
“Joining this program is at the discretion of the chief of police. The Ashland Police Department does not participate in this program, and we have no intention of joining this program.
“It is my opinion that municipal police exist to protect and serve, in a respectful manner, all of those who live in, work in, or visit a community. The Town of Ashland is a welcoming place, and the Ashland Police Department is a progressive agency. We protect the public without regard for a person’s immigration status.
“Members of our immigrant community should be able to confidentially engage the Ashland Police Department, and they should be fully empowered to call the police if they need help. No one should be afraid to call the police.
“The Ashland Police Department does not conduct immigration status checks. The only instance in which an immigrant may face federal scrutiny about their status is if they are arrested for a serious felony by our police department. This is an automatic process. If an immigrant is arrested for a serious felony, Immigration and Customs Enforcement may place a detainer, or hold, on that person.
“Anyone with any questions or concerns may call my office at 508-881-1212.”