ICYMI: Could Newton Be Massachusetts' Next Sanctuary City?

NEWTON, MA – City and law enforcement officials are trying to hammer out Newton's official policy on cooperating with federal immigration authorities – effectively establishing it as a "sanctuary city," the Newton TAB reported.

According to the TAB, the mayor, police chief and council president co-docketed an ordinance on Thursday outlining how law enforcement in Newton interacts with undocumented immigrants. This after initially stating that the city's policies already mirror those of "sanctuary cities," rendering further action unnecessary.

The ordinance would state that police officers do not arrest or hold people based on their undocumented status, but do have the right to detain undocumented immigrants in collaboration with federal authorities, the TAB reported.

But some want the ordinance to come with stronger language, in the vein of cities like Somerville and Boston. On Friday, seven councilors docketed a second ordinance with more specific language, and the city now has two policies on undocumented immigrants to consider going forward, according to the TAB.

>>>Read the full report from the Newton TAB.

Image: Justin H. Petrosek, via Wikimedia Commons

Story originally published Dec. 20.