The ACLU's Freedom Cities Initiative is an ambitious campaign with national scope.
When talking to law enforcement, it is vital that Missouri’s People Power groups understand how the ACLU’s model law enforcement policies apply in our state.
Under Missouri’s current law, cities that adopt a “sanctuary policy” are subject to losing funding from the state. (Statute 67.307.1)
This means that the following two model rules may run counter to Missouri’s current law:
- Defined Access/Interview Rule: Unless acting pursuant to a court order or a legitimate law enforcement purpose that is unrelated to the enforcement of a civil immigration law, no [County/City/State] official shall permit ICE or CBP agents access to [County/City/State] facilities or any person in [County/City/State] custody for investigative interviews or other investigative purposes.
- Privacy Protection Rule: No official shall voluntarily release personally identifiable data or information to ICE or CBP regarding an inmate’s custody status, release date or home address, or information that may be used to ascertain an individual’s religion, ethnicity or race, unless for a law enforcement purpose unrelated to the enforcement of a civil immigration law.
We appreciate you being well-informed advocates for our communities.
For the past three years, the ACLU of Missouri has worked with law enforcement agencies across Missouri on a piece of legislation called the Fourth Amendment Affirmation Act. This would update our state’s 17-year old racial profiling law.
If you are also interested in helping with the ACLU of Missouri’s efforts to pass the Fourth Amendment Affirmation Act, or other issues, please sign up for one of our task forces: racial justice, reproductive freedom, immigration, privacy and LGBTQIA rights.