
Marlborough City Hall (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
MARLBOROUGH – On Thursday, Jan. 30, Mayor J. Christian Dumais issued a statement regarding the presidential executive order regarding the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).
The order, signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, directed ICE to begin
arrests of individuals who have both illegally entered the United States and have been charged with a crime.
In his statement, Dumais said, “Any activity within Marlborough by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency falls within the jurisdiction of federal immigration law. Under Massachusetts law, there is no statutory or common-law authority for local law enforcement officers, including the Marlborough Police Department, to detain individuals solely based on their federal immigration status.
“Local law enforcement cannot be forced to cooperate with immigration enforcement; however, they also cannot hinder, obstruct or interfere with a federal law enforcement agency’s operation.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, there were several posts on social media regarding an ICE agent checking vehicles at Granger Boulevard.
“Law enforcement officers and civilian employees within the city of Marlborough do not inquire about immigration status during routine interactions,” he said.
Neither Dumais nor the City Council have jurisdiction over federal immigration law.
“The Marlborough Police Department statutorily cannot enforce federal immigration law. There is no directive from my office to assist with the enforcement of federal immigration law by the Marlborough Police Department or any other city department. Any actions taken by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency are at their discretion, and it would be unlawful for the city of Marlborough or the Marlborough Police Department to interfere with those operations. The priority of the City of Marlborough and Marlborough Police Department will continue to be the safety of all those who live, work and visit
Marlborough.”
Guidance from the Marlborough Public School District Superintendent’s Office has been provided to MPS parents and staff regarding this issue.