Protect immigrants from illegal ICE round ups and keep local police separate from Project 2025 evilism Trumpziism

EVILISM Project 2025 is in place and we urge local police to adopt or maintain policies limiting local law enforcement engagement in any federal immigration enforcement. Opinion echo published in the The New Bedford Light newspaper, in Massachusettes. 

Collaborating with federal agencies such as ICE diverts critical resources away from public safety efforts, erodes trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities and creates fear, which prevents immigrant residents from reporting crimes or seeking police assistance.

Although Mattapoisett’s (Massachusettes) immigrant population is likely small, policing should focus on protecting all members of our community regardless of immigration status. 

Engaging in immigration enforcement undermines this goal, fosters distrust and fear among our immigrant residents, making it harder for the police to build partnerships needed to keep our community safe.

When local police participate in federal immigration enforcement efforts, it leads to concerns about racial profiling, violation of constitutional rights and potential costly legal challenges.

Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, not the local police.

Police should adopt policies which bar agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; prohibit inquiries about immigration status or sharing immigration status with federal authorities; and our local police should not honor ICE requests to hold individuals beyond their release date without a a warrant.

These acts will strengthen the trust our community places in the police while protecting some of our more vulnerable residents.

We look forward to discussing this issue with our community.

Nicole Demakis is chair of the Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee.