AMHERST — An executive order issued by Town Manager Paul Bockelman is spelling out actions police officers and other municipal employees can take during federal immigration enforcement actions, aimed at reaffirming Amherst’s commitment to being a welcoming community where everyone feels safe and respected.
The executive order, signed by Bockelman on March 3, supplements the values embedded in a resolution adopted by the Town Council in February asking for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to be held accountable should they violate state law.
“Recent federal enforcement initiatives have undermined public safety in the town of Amherst, which relies on the trust by the public of its municipal government and police department,” Bockelman said in a statement. “I issued this executive order to reinforce our
dedication to upholding values articulated clearly by the town.”
The executive order includes a detailed policy, including prohibitions on police officers acting in any capacity for enforcement of federal immigration law, and outlining responsibilities they have should ICE agents be operating in town, such as various support services that could be provided.
The policy advises that municipal employees are not to allow anyone into non-public spaces unless there is a judicial warrant, court order or to provide access to public records. The town will also prohibit federal agents from using town property, such as buildings and parking lots, as staging areas, processing locations or operations bases.
“The executive order makes clear what the town — through its employees and public safety officers — will and won’t do,” Bockelman said. “In particular, the town will not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities that could undermine public trust or deter residents from accessing essential services, reporting crimes, cooperating with investigations or sending children to school.”
Meanwhile, the Town Council passed a resolution “Calling for Federal Immigration Agents to be Held Accountable for Violations of Massachusetts Criminal Law” at a meeting in February.
“This resolution underscores our dedication to safeguarding the rights of our residents,” Council President Mandi Jo Hanneke said. “We have seen unlawful actions by federal immigration agents, and we will not tolerate it in Amherst. We are committed to justice for all and to ensuring that any misconduct will be met with accountability.”
District 1 Councilor Jill Brevik sponsored the resolution, observing that it came in response to requests for town leadership to take action on this issue, and reports of ICE operations directly impacting residents of Amherst and surrounding communities.
“We know that when any of our neighbors have their rights stripped away, none of us can take those rights for granted,” Brevik said. “Silence and complying in advance created the environment that has enabled ICE agents to commit crimes and human rights abuses, and as a result, it is critically important for our local and state-level leaders to speak loudly and take clear action to fight back and change course.”
Brevik added that she hopes Amherst’s resolution kicks off a wave of similar resolutions across the state.