McKee Says He Stands With Rhode Island Immigrants Lacking Legal Status

RI police will continue to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on criminal matters, the governor said

Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Ian Donnis / The Public’s Radio
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Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Ian Donnis / The Public’s Radio
McKee Says He Stands With Rhode Island Immigrants Lacking Legal Status
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Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said he will stand with Rhode Island residents here without legal status, even as they face heightened immigration enforcement by the Trump administration.

State police, however, will continue to work with federal law enforcement officials on criminal matters.

“We’re going to continue what we’re doing. If there [are] people who are violating or criminals that need to be (arrested), we work with (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) — our State Police does that right now,” McKee said. “But we’re not going to be profiling or helping to, you know, create problems that violate the Constitution and we’re going to make sure we stand by the people that live in the state.”

The governor spoke at The Public’s Radio studio Thursday during a taping of Political Roundtable.

The Trump administration has signaled it may investigate and prosecute local and state officials who do not enforce its approach to policing immigration.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

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