Greenbelt council codifies city policy limiting municipal role in federal immigration enforcement

The Greenbelt City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance formalizing the city’s long-standing practice that municipal employees, including police, will not enforce federal civil immigration laws.

The measure, introduced for second reading by Councilmember Pompey, adds sections 16-5 through 16-9 to chapter 16 of the Greenbelt City Code and revises the chapter title to include public safety policies. Mayor Mary Jordan called the roll and the ordinance passed on a recorded vote with all members present voting yes.

The ordinance mirrors a “general order” the Police Department and other municipal staff have followed for some time. “This action tonight is actually bringing that over from a practice into something that is codified,” Councilmember Pompey said during debate. City officials said the policy change does not alter day-to-day practice but gives staff and officers a clear, codified standard.

Chief of Police (acting) responded to public questions about officer cooperation with federal authorities: a federal tasking cannot order a local officer to violate state law or city code, and Greenbelt officers would assist only on criminal warrants signed by a judge, not on administrative immigration warrants signed by federal immigration agents.

Supporters who spoke during public comment urged the council to act quickly; several written comments were read into the record urging formalization of the policy as a statement of the city’s values. The city clerk recorded the vote and staff will publish the amended text of chapter 16 in the city code.

The ordinance will be added to the City Code and staff said they will circulate the final adopted language to the public. No specific changes to enforcement procedures or additional funding were attached to the ordinance.