Washington D.C. bars unnecessary inquiries into immigration status

Mayor Vincent Gray of the United States' Washington D.C. on Wednesday signed an executive order to bar police from unnecessary inquiries into a person's immigration status. According to the order, the District's public-safety officials will not inquire into the immigration status of individuals or transmit information about immigration status to federal agencies except when that status pertains directly to a criminal investigation. "This executive order ensures public safety by ensuring that our police resources are deployed wisely and our immigrant communities feel safe cooperating with those who are sworn to protect them," Gray said in a statement. The order directs public-safety officials not to detain individuals on the basis of immigration status. It also bars agencies from making incarcerated youth and adults under their supervision available for federal immigration interviews without a court order. The move was in sharp contrast with strict anti-illegal immigrant laws in some states like Alabama. The new Alabama immigration law, which went into effect last month, requires police, in the course of any lawful "stop, detention or arrest," make a "reasonable attempt" to determine a person's citizenship and immigration status.