LAPD No Longer Will Honor ICE Detainer Requests

ICE administrative detainer requests no longer valid unless a court order or warrant is issued.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 9, 2014

Los Angeles, CA - On Monday,  the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced that it will no longer honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests due to recent court decisions ruling such detainers are not binding or legal. Police or sheriff departments around the country don't have to honor such detainers anymore. ICE is now required to provide a judicial court order or warrant by a judge or court officer for the LAPD to hold someone suspected of being an undocumented immigrant longer than allowed by law when arrested for a misdemeanor or traffic violation.

The LAPD stated, "...effective immediately the Los Angeles Police Department will no longer honor Immigration Detainer requests  submitted by ICE unless one of the following conditions are met:

1. Judicial Determination of Probable Cause for that detainer; or
2. Warrant from a Judicial Officer."

LAPD will maintain a solid relationship with federal authorities while also serving the citizens of Los Angeles regardless of their immigration status, according to the department's administrative decision.