Congresswoman Cammack Introduces The COP Act To Prohibit Federal Funds At Agencies Employing Non-Citizen LEOs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack introduced the "Citizen-Only Police Act of 2024" (COP Act). The bill prohibits law enforcement agencies receiving federal funds from employing aliens as law enforcement officers.

Spurred by the news in June that the Seattle Police Department could soon fill its ranks with illegal migrants amid low recruitment numbers, the department announced it would accept applicants from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Despite recipients having legal work authorization in the U.S., they have typically been excluded from serving as law enforcement officers for many departments nationwide, marking a notable shift in the Seattle PD's policy.

"It's unconscionable that we're even considering hiring aliens, including aliens who entered this country illegally, to serve in law enforcement," said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. "U.S. citizens should be responsible for enforcing the law, not foreign nationals."

"I'm disappointed that in the face of widespread law enforcement officer shortages across the country—due in part to the recklessness of Democrat leaders at all levels of government—that a proposed solution is to hire individuals who aren't citizens to fill the widening gaps. I think it's disgraceful and I know other law-abiding American citizens feel the same."

California, Colorado, and Illinois have passed laws to permit illegal aliens to become law enforcement officers. State legislatures in Wisconsin and Virginia have previously considered bills that would negate the U.S. citizen requirement to become law enforcement officers.

Read the text of the legislation here.

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