Immigration Subcommittee to Examine DOJ’s Role in Crafting New Orleans Sanctuary Policy

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, “New Orleans: How the Crescent City Became a Sanctuary City.” At the hearing, members will seek answers about the Justice Department’s involvement in crafting the New Orleans Police Department’s (NOPD) sanctuary policy. In 2010, the mayor of the City of New Orleans requested the Justice Department to “reform” the NOPD.  In 2012, officials at DOJ’s Civil Rights Division sued the city for alleged civil rights violations, resulting in a consent decree joined by the parties.  As part of the consent decree, NOPD officers were prevented from considering an individual’s immigration status when performing their law enforcement duties.  In February 2016, the NOPD enacted written policies pursuant to the consent decree that prevent officers from responding to requests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding criminal aliens in custody, except in very limited circumstances. The Justice Department reviewed and approved those policies prior to their enactment by the NOPD, even though they appear to be in violation of federal law. And despite these concerning policies, the NOPD still continues to receive Department of Justice grant funds. Earlier this year, Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) pressed the Department of Justice on its involvement in the NOPD’s sanctuary policy, but to date the Department has failed to explain how the policy is lawful. Witnesses for the hearing are:

• The Honorable Jeff Landry, Attorney General, Louisiana Department of Justice
• The Honorable Vanita Gupta, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
• The Honorable Michael Horowitz, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice

Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Gowdy and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Goodlatte issued the statement below in advance of this hearing. “It is outrageous that the Justice Department would seek a consent decree with the New Orleans Police Department to actually inhibit the ability of the federal government to enforce federal law.  By hindering federal immigration officers’ ability to apprehend criminal aliens, the Justice Department consciously disregards the safety and security of the American public by enabling the release of these criminals back into our communities to commit more crimes.  “Next week, the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee will examine DOJ’s role in coercing the New Orleans Police Department to adopt dangerous sanctuary policies and will seek answers from the Department. We look forward to hearing their explanation as to why they would encourage a local jurisdiction to violate federal law.” This hearing will take place in 2237 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at judiciary.house.gov.  Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214. ###