Council President Outlines City’s Protections for Undocumented Immigrants, Does Not Favor an Executive Order

After receiving questions about and requests to protect immigrants in Watertown in recent weeks, City Council President Mark Sideris emphasized the steps being taken by the City to provide safety and security, but said he does not favor the City Council passing a resolution or executive order regarding immigrants in Watertown.

Sideris spoke during the President’s Report at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. After a resident was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 10, people reached out to Sideris and other elected officials. He stressed that he was speaking on his own behalf, not for the entire Council.

“I’ve heard from members of the community in these meetings, over email, face to face, and around town that have expressed concerns about federal immigration enforcement activities here, and they’re expecting action from our City to ensure our neighbors feel safe and our safe being in Watertown, and they’re not just our neighbors, they’re our residents, and our citizens,” Sideris said. “I echo those concerns myself.”

Some asked for action to be taken by the City Council.

“We’ve been asked to make a resolution on the matter. We’ve been asked to get an executive order,” Sideris said. “I want to be honest in sharing that I worry about making a resolution, not because I don’t think the Council firmly stands behind protecting the safety of our residents, but because of my fear and what unintended consequences may be felt in heightening the attention on our community by doing that. Furthermore, I’m confident in the tangible actions of our City to protect our neighbors against unlawful actions that put them in harm’s way.”

Some of the actions include: Watertown Police Department does not enforce Federal immigration laws, does not detain people at the request of ICE, does not share information with government registries based on immigration status, and does not participate in civil immigration raids. The Watertown Public Schools do not ask families for immigration status, do not coordinate with ICE, and do not share student records with ICE without consent from a parent or an order from a Federal judge.

The Watertown Police Department also has a brochure, Sideris said, welcoming immigrants and providing information on their rights. The brochure can be seen by clicking here. Information about the Watertown Police Department’s policy on immigration legal issues can be seen by clicking here.

Sideris added a statement directed toward Federal immigration enforcement.

“While I do acknowledge there are things we as a City Council and City cannot stop, as ICE has authority to enforce Federal immigration laws within our City and others, I do want to share a message to ICE,” Sideris said “Unless you have a judicial warrant, you may not enter our schools, you may not enter our classrooms, and you may not enter our private offices within City buildings. You may also not use City property for enforcement operations, staging or processing individuals. If you do so, you will be directed to leave.”

Sideris also pointed to the Guiding Principles in the City Charter, which include safety and tranquility and equity and diversity.

“That’s not lost on me, and I don’t believe it’s lost on this City Council, the importance of upholding and using these principles to guide our decisions and actions are important,” Sideris said.

He also had a message for residents.

“I want our residents to feel comfortable and proud that Watertown is their home where they can raise a family, work in our businesses and enjoy the services we provide. That is why I encourage my colleagues on the Council, our City administration, and neighbors to put action first to ensure that those around us feel welcome and safe,” Sideris said. “We are not done talking about this with you, the community, and I hope that our residents still feel empowered to share their expectations with us at this table. And I hope that our actions to this point encourage you that we are working as hard as we can to deliver on the promises our community expects from us.”