Proposed changes to MPD's immigration enforcement policy discussed during meeting

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --Immigrant communities are making their voices heard in reshaping the Milwaukee Police Department’s immigration enforcement policy.

MPD has its standard operating procedure, but the Committee on Policies and Standards of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is looking at revising some of it.

Advocates gave input at Tuesday’s committee meeting, calling for clearer language.

“We need policies that uphold the value and the contributions of immigrants and refugees,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director of Voces de la Frontera.

Chief Alfonso Morales has said MPD is not looking for undocumented immigrants.

But there are circumstances that would call for the department’s cooperation with immigration enforcement officers, such as if the person in question is arrested for a felony or is reasonably suspected to be part of violent gang activity.

Neumann-Ortiz says collaboration like that can’t be left up to discretion, and the policy must be clarified.

The committee is beginning its process of writing proposed SOP revisions.

MPD will also contribute with amendments of its own.