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Rochester council amends and adopts ordinance affirming sanctuary city protections
Summary
The City Council amended and adopted Introductory 2‑50 to codify local limits on use of municipal resources for immigration enforcement and to affirm protections for LGBTQ+ residents; the measure passed after an amendment and public debate.
Rochester City Council members on Aug. 21 amended and adopted Introductory 2‑50, a local ordinance that codifies the city’s existing sanctuary-city commitments and clarifies limits on municipal assistance for federal immigration enforcement. President Melendez introduced and guided the amendment process; the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote.
The ordinance, as amended, frames the policy as a statement of values and a directive for how city personnel and resources may be used. President Melendez said the council sought outside review before advancing the legislation: “That opinion came back clear and we were advised we could move forward,” and described the law as “a statement of values codified in our city charter.”
Council member Stanley Martin, who spoke at length in support, credited local immigrant and LGBTQ advocates for shaping the measure and said it directs the city to use municipal budgets and legislative tools to fund supports for people impacted by immigration enforcement. “This creates a pathway and names that any city worker, including RPD, can be held accountable if they do break this law,” Martin said.
Council member Lupien also credited community groups, saying the legislation grew from months of work by immigration, LGBTQ and homelessness advocates. The bill was amended on the floor to incorporate clarifying edits recommended by external counsel and civil‑liberties advocates before the final vote.
The council president and administration repeatedly emphasized what the ordinance does not do: it does not block federal enforcement actions or create a legal shield against deportation. Melendez told colleagues, “It does not prevent immigration enforcement activity in our community. We cannot interfere with federal actions as a government.” Instead, the law defines local limits on city resources and affirms protections and services the city will prioritize.
The amended ordinance passed by roll call with a majority vote. Council members discussed implementation and oversight, and the measure was described repeatedly as codifying policy the city had previously affirmed through earlier resolutions.
The passage follows months of public testimony and advocacy; council members thanked community partners and cited the law department and outside review in shaping the amendment.
The council concluded its business and noted a separate memorializing resolution supporting state reentry legislation for people returning from incarceration.
