Nigerian Center Joins Coalition in Letter to DC Mayor on Immigrant Protection
Dr. Oye Owolewa Speaks in Support Campaign Before the DC Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2025
Lynn Tramonte
Email: lynn@anacaonallc.com
Washington, D.C. — Over a month ago, a group of 15 organizations supporting immigrant survivors of violence in Washington, DC sent a letter to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Police Chief Pamela Smith raising serious concerns about the safety of immigrant survivors in DC amid the ongoing entanglement, and unlawful cooperation, between federal immigration enforcement officers and DC’s metropolitan police department (MPD) and the presence of National Guard troops.
The unprecedented collaboration between DC police and federal immigration enforcement that is currently taking place is deeply concerning, particularly given the rate at which immigrant survivors eligible for protections under federal law are facing unlawful arrest, imprisonment, and deportation. The continued deployment of National Guard troops in DC may also be illegal, according to a lawsuit filed by the DC Attorney General.
To date, there has been no acknowledgement of the letter or response from MPD leadership. And, despite confirmation of receipt of the letter from the Mayor’s Office, there has been no response from the Mayor’s Office. This silence feels particularly loud in the face of the letter’s urgent demands, as immigrant survivors of violence report feeling afraid to call 911 in emergencies, or seek protection orders for fear that contacting law enforcement could lead to immigration consequences instead of personal safety.
Among the asks contained in their letter, dated September 18, 2025, are:
transparency from the Mayor and Chief of Police regarding the roles, mandates, and authorities of and collaborative agreements between local police and federal law enforcement (including, but not limited to, ICE/HSI, DEA, IRS, FBI, etc.)
vocal reaffirmation of the constitutional rights of all District residents regardless of immigration status, and
clarity regarding information-sharing agreements or obligations between justice system actors in DC (including, but not limited to, the Attorney General’s office) and immigration enforcement
Why the silence is dangerous
“The immigrant victims of domestic and sexual violence that we work with are experiencing increasing anxiety and fear. They express feeling unsafe seeking protection from law enforcement out of fear that their immigration status will matter more to police than their safety. That if they call the police, it won’t just be MPD that arrives, but immigration officers and possibly other federal agents. Their abusers are exploiting these very real fears to control them, threatening them with deportation and separation from their children if they speak up and reach out for help. And when the response to victims of crime and survivors saying they feel less safe in DC is silence, the message feels clear: their safety and dignity don’t matter. Attempts to pursue short-term crime reduction at the expense of our immigrant communities, and the safety of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, is unconscionable,” said Casey Carter Swegman, Director of Public Policy, Tahirih Justice Center.
“This delay in response erodes the trust that DC officials have spent years building within the District’s immigrant communities, weakening paths to safety and justice for victims within the city,” said Cecelia Levin, Advocacy Coordinator, Alliance for Immigrant Survivors.
“The ongoing collaboration between MPD and federal immigration agencies spreads fear and shuts the door to justice for countless immigrant survivors who might otherwise access safety and stability. At Ayuda, we have seen survivors remain trapped in abusive relationships because they fear reporting their abuser to police could lead to deportation. We have seen survivors afraid to appear in court to seek a protective order or continue pursuing the humanitarian visas they qualify for, fearing their information will be shared with ICE. We are deeply disappointed by Mayor Bowser’s and Chief Smith’s silence in the face of our urgent calls for clarity and transparency. Every day that this collaboration continues without answers, the District sends a dangerous message that because the survivors we serve are immigrants, their lives are less worthy of protection,” said Sandra Benavente, Advocacy Manager, Ayuda.
"Black Immigrant survivors remain in a dangerous and vulnerable state of uncertainty, and our advocates are unable to reaffirm the commitments to their safety without a deserved and long awaited response from the DC officials tasked with protecting them. This silence is unacceptable and very telling of the unpredictable and dangerous landscape Black immigrant victims of gender-based violence are left to navigate in the community they call home," said Lul Mohamud, Executive Director, The Person Center.
“Immigrants across the country look to the District for leadership, especially at a time when so many are experiencing unprecedented fear and uncertainty. Organizations like ours are often the first and last line of protection for these communities. That is why we are calling on Mayor Bowser and Chief Smith to provide transparency, reassurance, and clarity regarding any immigration-related cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agencies. We recognize that these are challenging times for the District, and precisely for that reason, we are asking for the opportunity to work together to better serve and protect our most vulnerable immigrant residents,” said Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director, Nigerian Center.
We urgently call on Mayor Bowser and Chief Smith to respond with:
The requested clarifications regarding the roles and authorities of MPD, federal law enforcement, and National Guard troops in DC, and clarity on which agencies are riding along with MPD on patrol.
A public statement acknowledging receipt of the letter, which also:
Reaffirms the constitutional rights of all District residents, including due process rights.
Reaffirms the policy that MPD will not ask individuals about immigration status.
A timeline for further response and action, including how Mayor Bowser and Chief Smith plan to ensure all law enforcement agents operating in DC are readily identifiable by residents, which is a core tenant of the rule of law and critical to public trust. The requested transparency regarding information-sharing agreements between DC law enforcement and justice system actors (including but not limited to the Attorney General’s office) with federal immigration enforcement.
A commitment to meet with the signatory organizations and survivors to discuss next steps and improve trust between law enforcement and our immigrant survivor community.
Without swift and clear-eyed leadership in this moment, immigrant survivors will continue to be silenced — and the entire DC community will be less safe, as abusers harm with impunity.
Who we are
The letter was signed by: Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center; Ayuda; Bread for the City; DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence; DC Safe; Deaf Abused Women Network (DAWN); Doctors for Camp Closure; Greater Washington Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA); Legal Aid DC; Mil Mujeres Inc.; Nigerian Center; Tahirih Justice Center; The Safe Sisters Circle; and The Person Center.
Contact
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Rachel Pulda
Director of Communications, Tahirih Justice Center
RachelP@tahirih.org
571-249-2107
About the Nigerian Center:
The Nigerian Center is a Washington, DC–based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing immigrant justice, financial empowerment, and cultural visibility. Through legal services, advocacy, and education, the Center amplifies Nigerian and African immigrant voices and fosters systemic inclusion in American society. The Center exists on a simple premise: the current generation of Black immigrants does not have to repeat the struggles of the past, and our core purpose is to change that narrative. We exist to advance the well-being of Black immigrants in Greater Washington and beyond who face systemic barriers in immigration policy, legal access, and economic opportunity.
“NIGERIAN CENTER” is a registered trademark of Nigerian Center Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States of America.