Waltham Mayor Issues Statement on Immigration

WALTHAM, MA – After a tumultuous week during which President Donald Trump issued three major executive orders on immigration, Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy issued a public statement regarding how immigration is enforced in the Watch City.

Last Wednesday, the president signed orders withholding federal funding from "sanctuary cities" and formally moving forward on the wall along the country's southern border.

Those orders were followed Friday by an immigration ban indefinitely suspending entry of Syrian refugees and putting a 90-day freeze on immigration of citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen. The ban does not apply to Green Card holders.

On Monday, McCarthy responded to public request for comment with the following statement:

"Immigration is governed by the Federal government, federal laws and the Constitution. Immigration at the federal level is in disarray; it has been for years. The courts, Congress and the President of the United States are responsible for immigration, immigration laws and regulations.

On the local level, the Waltham School Department is required to educate all children. They will continue to do that and provide any support services and counseling necessary to all children and families.

As far as the Waltham Police Department, since immigration is under federal jurisdiction and enforcement, the Waltham Police Department does not pursue immigration status unless a serious crime has been committed, upon which they contact the federal immigration authorities.

I urge all Waltham residents to contact their federal elected officials to enact federal legislation to legally process the individuals living in this country and those who wish to come to the United States. That is their job, and they should do it!"

Image via City of Waltham