Providence cops in hot water over immigration enforcement help to ICE

Providence Police Under Fire for Alleged Cooperation with ICE in Immigration Operation

A recent investigation by Providence’s External Review Authority (PERA) has found that police in Rhode Island’s capital city may have violated a city ordinance by cooperating with ICE during an immigration enforcement operation in July. The report, obtained by WLNE, states that police in Providence allegedly assisted ICE agents in conducting civil immigration enforcement operations, including establishing a perimeter, gathering intelligence, and aiding in the pursuit of a Honduran national and alleged fentanyl trafficker.

One sergeant was singled out for allegedly helping ICE confirm the location of the suspect when speaking with a landlord. The report recommended that Providence Police implement clearer operational guidelines for situations involving federal agencies and conduct training sessions for all officers. In response, Providence Police stated that they are creating training materials as recommended and remain dedicated to fairness, accountability, and building trust within the community.

The suspect in question, Ivan Rene Mendoza-Meza, also known as “El Negro,” was identified by ICE as a documented MS-13 gang member and listed as a “worst of the worst” candidate. Federal agents were pursuing Mendoza-Meza on July 13 when he crashed his vehicle, prompting a response from Providence Police to ensure public safety at the scene. However, video evidence suggested that police may have assisted ICE in various ways, including reviewing photos taken by federal agents and allegedly offering to help apprehend the suspect.

City Council President Rachel Miller raised concerns about the perceived cooperation between police and federal agencies, stating that it is damaging to overall community safety. The incident raises questions about the Providence Community-Police Relations Act, which prohibits police from complying with interagency requests to assist in operations solely for the purpose of enforcing federal civil immigration law.

The investigation into Providence Police’s alleged cooperation with ICE highlights the complexities of law enforcement’s involvement in immigration enforcement operations. Moving forward, it will be essential for police departments to uphold local ordinances and maintain transparency in their interactions with federal agencies to ensure the trust and safety of the communities they serve.

Source: Fox News Digital