Civil rights groups said they will push for new legislation limiting when Rhode Island police can enforce federal immigration law

Associated Press:

The move comes after state police exonerated Trooper Thomas Chabot of any wrongdoing for stopping a van full of illegal immigrants, then referring them to federal immigration authorities.

Fourteen people in that van now face deportation orders.

State police said an internal probe shows Chabot stopped the van for a traffic infraction, then realized that all but two passengers couldn't produce ID documents. Police escorted the van to federal immigration authorities.

The men facing deportation claim Chabot threatened to shoot them if they tried to flee. State Police officials call those complaints unfounded.

Immigrants Detained During Traffic Stop Face Deportation

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