The Arizona Department of Public Safety has recently made it clear that their involvement in immigration enforcement is strictly limited and should not be confused with the responsibilities of federal agencies. Amidst the swirling discussions and concerns over the agency's role in such matters, the Arizona Department of Public Safety made a definitive statement, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is not in their purview unless it intersects directly with state law violations. The statement came directly from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, reinforcing an ethos of community safety over immigration status inquiries.
As explained by Colonel Jeffrey Glover, the Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the agency and its Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission are primarily focused on combatting criminal gangs and transnational crime. Glover told the Arizona Department of Public Safety, "Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Unless a state crime has been committed that falls under Arizona Department of Public Safety jurisdiction, our personnel — including ang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission units — do not participate in immigration enforcement operations." They, built for tackling street gangs and organized crime, dutifully work alongside local, state, and federal partners to mitigate threats to public safety.
While they are not immigration officers, the Arizona Department of Public Safety acknowledges that there are scenarios where they might coordinate with federal entities if an individual's immigration status becomes pertinent due to a state crime. In such instances, their protocol involves notifying federal partners while strictly adhering to the law and required procedures. The department underlined its commitment to constitutional protections and civil liberties, assuring that their investigative endeavors are directed at criminal activity rather than the immigration status of individuals involved.
With a conscious effort to maintain the public trust, the Arizona Department of Public Safety also emphasizes their objective is to reduce violence, not enforce immigration laws. "We are dedicated to building and maintaining trust with the communities we serve,” a Department spokesperson elaborated, focusing on public safety as a top priority. This ethos runs deep in Arizona Department of Public Safety operations that hinge on state laws and a foundational respect for each person's civil rights and freedoms, not serving as an arm of the federal immigration enforcement apparatus.
