Salem City Council to Weigh 'Sanctuary for Peace' Ordinance

SALEM, MA — At a time when the future of immigration in America is uncertain, a Salem City Councillor has filed a draft ordinance which he says will ensure that city employees do not participate in federal immigration enforcement.

In a post on Facebook Monday evening, Ward 4 City Councillor David Eppley announced the filing of a draft ordinance entitled the "Salem Sanctuary For Peace Ordinance," which is set to be heard during City Council's Dec. 8 meeting. Eppley added that the intent of the ordinance is to ensure that city employees do not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities.

"This goes a long way to continue the long-standing cooperative relationship between our police and our communities to ensure that regular public safety issues and/or domestic disturbances can be addressed without the fear of facing deportation simply by calling the police department," wrote Eppley on Facebook.

Eppley says that the draft ordinance will not bestow any new rights upon undocumented residents, and will not inhibit any "lawful warrant to arrest any person of interest in a criminal investigation." The draft was also filed on behalf of the Salem No Place for Hate committee.

"We currently have nothing on the books prohibiting our city employees from providing information to the federal government for immigration enforcement efforts," Eppley added."The Salem Sanctuary for Peace Ordinance addresses that void."