The Public Safety & Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, March 18. See the report and meeting video.
Held
- City’s response to ICE (7-0), including a review of Newton’s Welcoming City Ordinance and Mayor Laredo’s executive order restricting use of City property and personnel for civil immigration enforcement
City Solicitor Alissa Giuliani presented an overview of Newton’s Welcoming City Ordinance, passed by City Council in February 2017, and Mayor Laredo’s executive order signed in February 2026. The ordinance prohibits city agencies and employees from identifying, investigating, arresting, or detaining people based on immigration status; honoring immigration detainers or administrative warrants; notifying federal authorities about a person’s release; or cooperating with programs that register individuals based on religious affiliation or national origin. The executive order amplifies these protections by prohibiting the use of City-owned or City-controlled property as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for civil immigration enforcement, and barring civil immigration enforcement officials from non-public spaces without a valid judicial warrant or court order.
Police Chief Timothy Cohoon described Newton Police Department protocols. The NPD does not enforce civil immigration law and will not stop or demand ID from people solely on immigration concerns. Officers will document unusual circumstances and work to de-escalate situations. Chief Cohoon noted that body cameras are a priority — a pilot program has been negotiated with both the Superior Officers and Patrol Officer Unions and is expected to move forward, though logistical and privacy issues remain. Lieutenant Amanda Henrickson described the department’s specialized officers, including domestic violence, civil rights, and youth investigators, as well as the NPD’s close relationship with the Middlesex DA’s anti-hate bias task force.
Chief Operating Officer Josh Morse described ongoing efforts to update the City’s website with information in multiple languages, including “Know Your Rights” materials, and noted that the Administration is actively developing internal guidance and training for frontline workers — particularly in schools, the clerk’s office, and social service agencies. He committed to maintaining ongoing dialogue with department heads.
Councilors raised a range of questions and concerns: whether families and school staff are aware that protocols are in place; whether signs should be posted at city boundaries or on City buildings; the possibility of a task force of councilors, police, and administration to educate staff; whether NPD officers could use personal cell phones to record ICE activity; the implications of Governor Healey’s executive order for state-owned property in Newton; and whether the City could require ICE officers to be identified and unmasked. City Solicitor Giuliani noted that federal law preempts local authority over how federal agents conduct operations.
The committee voted to hold, with a future meeting planned to hear public comment.
Present: Councilors Lucas (Chair), Greenberg, Wright, Block, Irish, Roche, and Silber.
Absent: Councilor Golden.
Also present: Councilors Oliver, Krintzman, Farrell, Charm, Bixby, and Albright.
City staff: Josh Morse, Chief Operating Officer; Lieutenant Amanda Henrickson and Chief Timothy Cohoon, Newton Police Department; Alissa Giuliani, City Solicitor; Miles Starkey, Clerk.
