Earlier this month, Dayton police Chief Richard Biehl characterized the policy change as minor and simply intended to ensure compliance with federal law.

RELATED Dayton makes policy change after Trump’s immigration orders

President Trump recently issued three executive orders focused on curbing illegal immigration and suspending refugee admissions, as well as punishing cities that willingly refuse to cooperate with federal authorities to enforce immigration law.

Biehl emphasized that being in the country illegally is a civil violation that is exclusively the jurisdiction of federal authorities.

“Our policy is very clear that … we will not stop, we will not detain, we will not interview people merely to investigate your immigration status,” he said.

Biehl said his department does not have the legal authority to enforce federal immigration law and officers have worked for years to build a good relationship with the immigrant and foreign-born communities.