Hawaii’s rich heritage of immigration and the significant contributions of immigrants have played strong roles in shaping Hawaii’s unique multicultural society. Thus, it is disheartening that President Donald Trump signed an executive order that intensifies efforts to deport undocumented immigrants who are living in the U.S. (This executive order is separate from the immigration ban that applies to six countries.)

An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S. They have either crossed the border without a visa, which is a misdemeanor; or they have entered the U.S. with a visa, but overstayed, which is not a crime.

About half of the adult undocumented immigrants have been in the U.S. for 10 years or more. They live and work in our communities, and pay taxes. Many have married U.S. citizens or have children who are U.S. citizens by birth. The crime rate of undocumented immigrants is much lower than that of native-born citizens.

An estimated 21,000 to 45,000 undocumented immigrants live in Hawaii, most of whom have overstayed their visa, so their immigration status is not a criminal matter. Nearly half are estimated to be from the Philippines, about 15 percent from Japan, and about 7 percent from Mexico.

The deportation of undocumented immigrants is not new, of course. In fact, President Barack Obama was responsible for deporting more than 2 million undocumented immigrants. However, he targeted those who had committed serious crimes. Trump’s executive order widens the scope to include virtually all undocumented immigrants.

Immigration regulation is a federal function. It is optional for local police departments to cooperate with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Trump’s executive order is particularly disturbing because it revives a program under Section 287(g) of the Immi- gration and Nationality Act that deputizes state and local law enforcement officers and allows them to act as ICE agents.

ICE is known to employ hyper-aggressive tactics that are incompatible with the community policing model that has been widely adopted nationally. In this model, the police develop partnerships with communities to help keep residents safe and to help solve crimes. Trust is important.

But if the police act as ICE agents, that trust is shattered — at least with respect to undocumented immigrants, their families, and their friends. Acting as ICE agents, the police may ask residents about their immigration status, and when identifying those who are undocumented, they may begin the process of deportation.

People must feel that they can report illegal and suspicious behavior in their neighborhoods. They must also feel that they can offer relevant information when a crime has been committed. The threat of deportation discourages undocumented immigrants from doing so.

Recognizing the disruption that would be caused in their communities, more than 600 cities, counties and states limit their local police departments from cooperating with ICE. They want to protect their communities and preserve peace.

A resolution to do the same for Hawaii has been passed by the state House and is now being considered by the state Senate. House Concurrent Resolution 125 discourages state and county police departments from cooperating with ICE, and in particular, it rejects participation in the Section 287(g) program that deputizes local law enforcement officers to act as ICE agents.

Consistent with our immigrant heritage, this resolution declares Hawaii to be a “Hookipa (Welcoming) State.” It avoids unnecessarily disrupting our communities and keeps our immigrant heritage alive.

John Kawamoto is the grandson of immigrants and a former legislative analyst.