DC Police Chief Allows Sharing Info with ICE, Amidst Trump’s Crackdown on Illegal Immigration in Nation’s Capital

In Washington D.C., Police Chief Pamela Smith issued an executive order on Thursday, enabling local law enforcement officers to share information about individuals not under their custody with federal immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE. This move is seen as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to assert federal control over law enforcement in the nation’s capital and intensify actions against illegal immigration.

The order allows DC police to disclose information during situations like traffic stops, and also assists federal law enforcement agencies with transporting personnel and detainees. However, it maintains prohibitions on officers searching police databases solely for immigration status, making inquiries about an individual’s immigration status for civil law violation determination or enforcement, and arresting individuals based exclusively on federal immigration warrants.

DC police are also barred from disclosing information about individuals within their custody or allowing federal immigration enforcement agents to question them.

In response to the order, a DC police spokesperson stated: “Under the President’s Executive Order, MPD services have been requested to assist ICE with transportation of detainees and traffic stops.” The spokesperson added that the order does not alter existing MPD policy or District law.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office has chosen not to comment on the police chief’s executive order. In the past, Bowser had publicly declared Washington D.C. a sanctuary city; however, she has been cautious with her language during Trump’s second presidency. In May, she proposed revoking a local law that prevents the city’s Department of Corrections from cooperating with federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant or order issued by a federal judge.

Trump praised the police chief’s decision as a “great step” and suggested similar actions may be implemented across the country to combat crime. When asked about the executive order and potential city compliance, Trump responded: “I have heard that. It just happened … That’s a great step if they’re doing that. Yeah, I think that’s going to happen all over the country. We want to stop crime.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday that 29 undocumented migrants were removed from D.C. the previous night. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem supported this action, describing it as a “game changer” and urging cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to follow suit.

In late week’s developments, Trump ordered additional federal law enforcement officers to Washington D.C., citing high crime rates in the city. However, city statistics indicate that violent crime has decreased over the past two years since peaking in 2023. Trump escalated his efforts earlier this week by declaring a crime emergency and federalizing DC’s police force, along with deploying the DC National Guard.