Police Chiefs Call for Coordinated Immigration Enforcement to Protect Community Trust

New guidelines aim to rebuild relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A moody, cinematic painting of a lone police officer standing on a dimly lit city street corner, the warm glow of the sun casting dramatic shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of isolation and the complex challenges facing law enforcement in navigating immigration enforcement and community relations.The delicate balance between federal immigration enforcement and local community policing comes into focus as police chiefs seek to rebuild trust and align priorities.Minneapolis Today

In the wake of a fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has released a set of 'shared principles' calling for better coordination and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies when conducting immigration enforcement operations. The guidelines focus on officer and community safety, targeted enforcement of violent criminals rather than broad civil enforcement, and toning down harmful political rhetoric that erodes public trust.

Why it matters

Immigration enforcement has become a divisive political issue, with federal agencies like ICE increasingly conducting operations in local communities without prior coordination with police departments. This has led to frayed relationships between law enforcement and the public, as well as risks to officer safety. The IACP's new guidelines aim to rebuild trust and ensure immigration enforcement is carried out in a way that prioritizes public safety.

The details

The IACP-led gathering of nearly 20 law enforcement groups produced a set of principles calling for clear communication between federal and local agencies, a focused targeting of violent criminals rather than broad civil enforcement, and broader safety measures. The guidelines state that when federal and local agencies are not working together, 'things can be unsafe for communities and for officers' and that 'expectations and protocols need to be aligned, tactics need to be consistent.'

  • On April 1, 2026, federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
  • In early March 2026, the IACP and nearly 20 other law enforcement groups met to align on addressing immigration enforcement issues in their jurisdictions.

The players

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

The world's largest group of police chiefs, which led the gathering that produced the new guidelines on immigration enforcement coordination.

David Rausch

The president of the IACP.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who the IACP sees as a 'fresh start' for improved communication and coordination.

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What they’re saying

“'When we're not working together, things can be unsafe for communities and for officers. Expectations and protocols need to be aligned, tactics need to be consistent.'”

— David Rausch, President, International Association of Chiefs of Police

“'I can't remember a time when the organization representing the nation's police chiefs turned a critical eye on other law enforcement agencies in such a public way. It's a real sign that police chiefs feel the administration's no-holds-barred approach to immigration enforcement has put police departments in a difficult position in maintaining community relations that took a long time to build and have been damaged by this process.'”

— John Miller, CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst

What’s next

The IACP and its partners plan to continue their efforts to 'restore reliable operational communication; clarify and respect roles, authorities and limitations; and ensure that enforcement tactics align with constitutional policing and community trust.' They will work with the new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who they see as a 'fresh start' for improved coordination.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement agencies, who are tasked with maintaining public trust and community relations. The new guidelines from the IACP aim to find a balance that allows for legitimate immigration enforcement while prioritizing officer and public safety, as well as rebuilding the relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement.