Yakima Abandons Policy of Asking People About Immigration Status
According to some reports, it's a moot point, as the Yakima Police Department has already stopped doing so. But now the city has formally done away with the ordinance that looked into whether people are here in the U.S legally.
The policy in question was the practice of police asking suspects or others involved in crimes, including witnesses, about their immigration status if it appeared to be in question.
The City Council this week voted 4-2 to end the practice. Some council members, according to KNDU-KNDO-TV, felt it was a public safety issue. Police said they stopped asking about people's status months ago.
The council members in favor of dropping the policy said they didn't want people to be afraid to report crimes or work with police for fear of repercussions over whether they are here legally.