Worse yet, the officers appear to have been acting in retaliation against Mr. Sanchez for his testimony last September before a State Senate committee investigating police abuse against former gang members. We now add retaliation for public exposure of police abuse to the appalling list. Special Order 40, enacted in 1979, bars police from enforcing federal immigration laws. The Police Commission and top LAPD officials strongly re-affirmed the Order just three years ago. Special Order 40 is essential.
Immigrants are disproportionately the targets of crime.