McKee Says He Stands With Rhode Island Immigrants Lacking Legal Status

RI police will continue to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on criminal matters, the governor said

Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Ian Donnis / The Public’s Radio
Share
Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Gov. McKee during a Statehouse news conference earlier this month.
Ian Donnis / The Public’s Radio
McKee Says He Stands With Rhode Island Immigrants Lacking Legal Status
Copy

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said he will stand with Rhode Island residents here without legal status, even as they face heightened immigration enforcement by the Trump administration.

State police, however, will continue to work with federal law enforcement officials on criminal matters.

“We’re going to continue what we’re doing. If there [are] people who are violating or criminals that need to be (arrested), we work with (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) — our State Police does that right now,” McKee said. “But we’re not going to be profiling or helping to, you know, create problems that violate the Constitution and we’re going to make sure we stand by the people that live in the state.”

The governor spoke at The Public’s Radio studio Thursday during a taping of Political Roundtable.

The Trump administration has signaled it may investigate and prosecute local and state officials who do not enforce its approach to policing immigration.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

The 2026 gubernatorial race is heating up. Revolution Wind is sputtering. Is it time to turn up the temperature?
The bipartisan QUAHOGS Act, introduced by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Sen. Tim Scott, would create a task force to study why Rhode Island’s iconic shellfish and other East Coast bivalves are in steep decline
Eight states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, formed a partnership to share resources on vaccines, emergency preparedness and public health, amid federal uncertainty
The University of Rhode Island will relocate home games to the new 10,500-seat stadium while Meade Stadium undergoes an 18-month overhaul, aiming to boost the fan experience and expand its audience
As student numbers decline and co-op teams expand, RI Interscholastic League director Mike Lunney urges schools to refocus on why sports were created — to keep kids engaged, build character, and prepare them for life beyond the field
New Census data show 32,549 children lived in poverty in 2024 — a jump of more than 20% from the year before — as advocates urge state action on health care, housing, and food security