Mayor Michelle Wu has signed an executive order intended to offer clear guidance on how city government intends to respond to any future Minnesota-style surge of federal immigration agents into Boston.
“It is on each one of us to do whatever we can to do moving forward,” Wu said, speaking at a press conference at 26 Court Street, a city building in Boston. “And we are here because we recognize that when we stand together, there is no greater force than Boston and Massachusetts.”
Mayor Wu was joined by elected officials and city managers from Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Lynn and Somerville. Yawu Miller photo
Wu said that the “The Executive Order to Protect Bostonians from Unconstitutional and Violent Federal Operations” is not meant to challenge or obstruct ICE or Border Patrol jurisdiction, but instead offers city residents and employees a sense of what to expect from Boston’s various agencies, including the Boston Police Department. The first plank of the 7-page order emphasizes the BPD’s mission would be to “de-escalate” confrontations or other interactions between the public and federal agents.
“Please do not mistake that anyone here is looking to set up any sort of conflict,” Wu said when asked by a reporter whether her executive order would put police in conflict with federal agents. “The order specifically has language in there, emphasizing that this is about ensuring peace, about de-escalating situations, when there might be pressure to escalate from other parties, and that this is not about anything except for following the law.”
The order also affirms that city officials will “immediately summon emergency medical services” and “make all reasonable efforts to render aid” when a person is injured.
But, as the order’s title suggests, the Mayor’s intent is to let Bostonians know that the city will seek to protect residents and— when necessary— document and pursue criminal cases against federal agents who use violence, injure Bostonians, or cause property damage in the city.
Elements of Mayor Wu’s order mirrors instructions from Governor Maura Healey issued last week, including a prohibition against federal agencies using city property to stage operations. Other parts of the order re-affirm existing guidance that restricts agents from executing searches in public spaces, like libraries and community centers. Federal agents will be barred from using city property as staging areas for
enforcement operations.
The order makes clear that city officials will release footage gathered from Boston’s surveillance system— including traffic cameras and body-worn cameras— to make public instances of violent encounters and property damage involving federal agents.
Significantly, the order says that Boston Police will respond through the 9-1-1 system to calls that report “warrantless entries” at private properties. BPD officers will be instructed to investigate any reports of ICE/CBP infractions within the city and — when applicable— refer complaints to the Suffolk County District Attorney or the Mass Attorney General’s office for possible prosecution.
“We will be watching for anyone who violates state laws and the rights of our citizens and resident in Suffolk County,” District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. “And… just as we’ve always done, we will work closely with law enforcement to hold anyone, anyone accountable alleged to have engaged in criminal conduct. Boston residents have a right to protest peacefully and monitor law enforcement activities without the threat of violence or detention.”
The Mayor’s order comes a week after Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued a series of executive orders that offer similar guidance and rules of engagement to state agencies. Healey also unveiled new legislation on Jan. 30 that seeks to restrict ICE operations in state courts and to ban the deployment of out-of-state National Guardsmen in Massachusetts.
Both Wu and Healey have been outspoken in their opposition to federal enforcement tactics that have included violent and disruptive surges in Minnesota, which included the shooting deaths of two US citizens— Renee Good and Alex Pretti— at the hands of masked federal agents. None of the agents shown killing the Americans have been detained and the victims in both homicides were falsely accused by high-ranking Trump officials of being “domestic terrorists.”
City managers from surrounding communities said they, too, have passed executive orders and ordinances barring overreach by ICE.
“We will not allow our city to be used as a base for armed enforcement actions that target our neighbors through racial profiling and excessive force,” said Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez. “We will defend every resident’s constitutional right to live free from fear. That is our commitment.”
In Lynn, ICE agents have used the police headquarters parking lot, the high school sports stadium and public cemetery as staging grounds.
“The federal government needs to hear that the intentional infliction of fear and chaos in our communities must stop,” said Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson.
Nicholson said Lynn officers would intervene, if it is safe to do so, if a federal officer is clearly using excessive force against a Lynn resident.
Brookline Town Administrator Charles Carey said he is urging residents of his town to demonstrate against ICE, support their immigrant neighbors, de-escalate in confrontations with federal agents and document their actions.
“Ultimately, there will be a reckoning,” he said. “Ultimately, there will be a time when this federal administration cannot protect people who are violated civil rights and people who are breaking Massachusetts law. And when that happens, the full force of Massachusetts law will be brought down on those people and they will be taken to justice.”
Reporter correspondent Yawu Miller contributed reporting to this story.
