Somerville Council endorses Safe Communities and immigrant legal defense measures, urges state action

The Somerville City Council voted on March 13 to adopt a resolution endorsing immigrant-rights legislation promoted at the state level, including the Safe Communities Act and the Immigrant Legal Defense Act.

The council’s resolution reaffirms the city’s support for policies that advocates said will protect immigrants from unwarranted enforcement, allow victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of immigration inquiries, require written consent before ICE interviews in custody, and create a fund for legal representation in deportation proceedings.

Moroni Mentor, political director at Mira, told the council the Safe Communities Act would “prevent police and court from asking about someone’s immigration status” and described provisions that would limit ICE interrogation without consent and end certain local immigration enforcement agreements such as 287(g). On the Immigrant Legal Defense Act he said legal representation matters in deportation proceedings and that the bill would create a publicly coordinated program to provide counsel for low-income immigrants.

Councilors across the chamber framed the vote as part of the city’s longstanding policy of supporting sanctuary protections and immigrant integration. Councilor Mbah, who sponsored the resolution, thanked the state delegation and local advocates for their work. Councilor McLaughlin and others stressed public-safety arguments — saying people who can safely report crimes and access services make the whole city safer.

Action and next steps: The council approved the resolution and directed that copies be sent to the mayor’s office and the city’s state delegation to signal local support for the state bills. No new local ordinance or funding was enacted at the meeting.

Ending: Councilors urged residents and advocacy groups to continue engaging with state legislators as the bills move through the State House.