Newton Officials File 'Welcoming City' Ordinance

NEWTON, MA – City officials in Newton docketed a "Welcoming City" ordinance on Friday in an effort to "make all residents, workers and visitors feel safe and secure regardless of immigration status," they wrote in a joint statement.

Newton Mayor Setti Warren, former Mayor David Cohen, Police Chief David MacDonald, City Council President Scott Lennon and 16 city councilors backed the ordinance, which limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Officials have been considering two separate ordinances for some time to make Newton a de facto "sanctuary city," and according to a joint statement, those are expected to be withdrawn in favor of the most recent filing.

Under the proposal, law enforcement or city officials would not investigate or detain someone based solely on immigration status, notify federal authorities of the release of a person "for immigration purposes" or enforce a federal program requiring the registration of individuals based on "religious affiliation or ethnic or national origin."

Use of city resources to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law would be prohibited, as well.

Exceptions to the ordinance include details provided with an individual's consent or a situation where a person "has an outstanding criminal warrant, has a prior conviction for a serious violent felony, is being investigated for terrorism, or if there is a law enforcement or public safety purpose to do so that is not related to the enforcement of civil immigration law."

The proposal will be reviewed Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Newton City Hall.

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