For Immediate Release // Please Excuse Cross Posting
July 10th 2017
Contact: Armando Carmona, armando@ndlon.org, 323-250-3018

Is Gardena Police Chief Siding with Trump’s Deportation Agenda? Immigrant Groups File Public Records Act Request

“SB 54 gains ground, but Gardena Chief, head of State Association, stands in the way”

Los Angeles, CA – On Monday, immigration advocates announced the filing of a Public Records Act (PRA) request to demand transparency from Gardena Police Chief Edward Medrano, who is also the head of the CA Police Chief’s Association, around “entanglement” and collusion with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The PRA, has requested information pertaining to communications the Gardena Police Department has had with immigration enforcement agencies. This comes as a growing number of law enforcement officials, including Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, have endorsed the CA Values Act, which would make sure state and local resources aren’t used to help the Trump administration deport millions of people. The CA Chiefs Association, headed by Medrano, however, has consistently opposed the bill – which has immigrant rights advocates demanding answers.

The PRA requests specific information pertaining to communications the Gardena Police Department has had with immigration agencies such as:

– Any communications and entanglement between the GPD and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with respect to SB 54.

– Any and all efforts between agencies to identify, investigate, interrogate, detain, arrest, and deport immigrants.

– The GPDs interaction with associations, advocacy organizations, non profits, and individuals seeking to oppose SB54 and/or restrict immigration.

“As Chief Beck’s endorsement of SB 54 shows, there’s a growing consensus that local police departments should not act as deportation agents, as that tears families apart and further undermines trust and confidence” said Claudia Bautista, Regional Organizer with NDLON. “Why, then, is Chief Medrano opposing this vital bill? We are filing this records request because we want the truth to come to light. Our public institutions must work towards the betterment of our community,” she concluded.

The Public Records Act request can be found at http://bit.ly/GPDPRARequest

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