Lawmaker says bill won’t turn municipal police into immigration agents

Rep. Ángel Morey Noble

By The Star Staff

Rep. Ángel Morey Noble rejected concerns expressed earlier this week that legislation he filed could align the responsibilities of municipal police officers with those of state officers, thereby turning them into immigration agents.

His remarks were in response to criticism from Annette Martínez Orabona, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico (ACLU-PR), who said House Bill 139 empowers municipal police officers to carry out certain immigration functions as directed by federal agencies.

In a statement issued late Tuesday, Morey Noble clarified that the intention of the bill is not to equip municipal police to pursue immigrants but rather to enhance public safety and support those who serve in law enforcement. He described the legislation as a measure aimed at establishing equity, order and responsibility in public safety efforts.

The bill, which passed with 42 votes in favor and four against, seeks to standardize the benefits, protections and operational powers of municipal police officers without transforming them into immigration agents. Morey Noble emphasized that any interpretation suggesting otherwise is a misconception.

The ACLU-PR’s position is that the bill permits municipalities to enter into collaborative agreements with federal law enforcement, which the civil rights organization believes could effectively turn municipal police into extensions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.

In defense of the legislation, Morey Noble highlighted its purpose of improving the operational capabilities of municipal agencies, which frequently serve as the first responders in emergencies. He noted that the bill formalizes the officers’ status and allows for the formation of specialized units in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.

Morey Noble asserted that House Bill 139 addresses the practical challenges faced by municipalities, aiming to provide municipal police officers with the necessary tools and benefits comparable to those of other law enforcement agencies. He believes the bill will enhance their ability to perform their duties effectively and with dignity.

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Swanny Enit Vargas Laureano.