Law Enforcement Leaders Propose Guidelines to Restore Trust Amid Immigration Operations

Police chiefs call for better coordination between federal, state and local agencies to ensure community safety.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:53am

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A realistic painting of a lone police car parked on a shadowy urban street, the warm light casting dramatic shadows and creating a pensive, contemplative mood.The strained relationship between federal immigration enforcement and local police departments has created an atmosphere of unease and mistrust in many communities.Minneapolis Today

One day after a fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) urged the White House to organize a meeting with law enforcement leaders to better coordinate immigration enforcement and restore community trust. The IACP-led gathering produced a set of 'shared principles' calling for clear communication, focused targeting of violent criminals, and broader safety measures to address the growing friction between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Why it matters

The publication highlights the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local police departments, who have been pulled into the public backlash over controversial tactics that have damaged community relations. The guidelines aim to rebuild trust and ensure immigration enforcement operations are conducted in a way that prioritizes public and officer safety.

The details

Leaders from nearly 20 law enforcement groups, including the National League of Cities and the National District Attorneys Association, met in early March to align on how to address the issues happening in their jurisdictions. The resulting 'shared principles' call for clear communication between federal and local agencies, a focused targeting of violent criminals, and broader safety measures. The guidelines also urge the federal government to tone down 'harmful and overly political rhetoric' that 'erodes legitimacy and reinforces perceptions that policing lacks transparency and accountability'.

  • One day after Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, the IACP urged the White House to organize a meeting.
  • In early March, leaders from nearly 20 law enforcement groups met to align on addressing the issues in their jurisdictions.
  • The IACP-led guidelines were released on Tuesday.

The players

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

The world's largest group of police chiefs, which urged the White House to organize a meeting with federal, state and local law enforcement leaders.

David Rausch

The president of the IACP, who said the guidelines aim to rebuild the relationships between agencies and local communities left frayed after police departments were pulled into the public backlash over immigration enforcement operations.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Department of Homeland Security Secretary, who Rausch said is seen as a 'fresh start' and an opportunity to have the necessary conversations that should have happened previously.

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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, IACP President

“'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 White House was supportive of the IACP's new efforts, and the new Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is seen as an opportunity to have the necessary conversations and implement the proposed guidelines.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local police departments, who have been caught in the middle of the public backlash over controversial tactics that have damaged community relations. The proposed guidelines aim to rebuild trust and ensure immigration enforcement operations prioritize public and officer safety through better coordination and communication between all levels of law enforcement.