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The Trump Administration has declared war on illegal immigrants, but local police chiefs say it’s not their job to be on the front lines.
“We don’t have the authority” to seek or arrest immigrants based on their legal status, said Sean Dunn, Williamsburg’s police chief. “Immigration enforcement is a federal enforcement issue, not a local issue.”
“We’re not going to go door to door looking for people”, echoed James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison. “We’re here to police and serve”.
Their stance is not a political commentary on illegal immigration or the administration’s policies, but a reflection of the practical realities of their public safety jobs.
Both police chiefs said their primary responsibility is to keep the local populace safe, regardless of their immigration status.
They said they did not want to discourage residents who may not be here legally from reporting crimes such as domestic abuse or drug trafficking.
Dunn said Williamsburg’s community policing …