Former mayoral candidate Al Cecchinelli suggests that City employees “should welcome, comply, and assist any federal agency.” City employees assisting any federal agency would include Newton Police assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and similar federal agents from the larger Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Perhaps the 13% of Newton voters who cast a 2025 ballot in favor of Cecchinelli believe that Newton Police should assist ICE. But a recent Navigator Research poll reports that 70% of Americans, and 95% of Democrats, either want ICE to be abolished or significantly reformed to have more checks on their power.
Most Americans have seen the video of DHS agents, in January, killing Renee Good and Alex Pretti. DHS characterized Good and Pretti as terrorists and claims to be investigating them for terrorism. DHS agents have now widely threatened lawful observers with investigation for terrorism (example).
In February, Mayor Marc Laredo joined other Greater Boston leaders in a press conference rebuking DHS and affirming the commitment to the rule of law. Laredo also issued an Executive Order affirming Newton’s Welcoming City ordinance and its “commitment to making all residents, workers, and visitors feel safe and secure regardless of immigration status.” While significant, Laredo’s actions may reassure residents—without significantly limiting the City’s legal option to cooperate with ICE.
Importantly, Newton’s Welcoming City ordinance expressly allows Newton Police to cooperate with ICE both (a) with respect to people being investigated for terrorism and (b) if there is a public safety purpose to do so. Section 2-403. Since DHS agents now routinely claim that observers are terrorists that are somehow endangering the agents, Newton’s ordinance does not prohibit Newton Police from assisting ICE.
Newton residents should be concerned that our police may assist ICE — especially with encouragement by those who would like Newton Police to assist ICE.
Kia Freeman
Newton Centre
