Cambridge committee advances revised welcoming-community ordinance to limit police role in federal immigration actions

A quorum of the Cambridge City Ordinance Committee met Aug. 4 to consider amendments to the city—s "welcoming community" ordinance that would clarify the Cambridge Police Department—s role during federal immigration enforcement actions. After roughly 16 public commenters urged stronger safeguards for immigrant residents and clearer duties for police, the committee voted to (1) close public comment and (2) bring forward the city solicitor—s amended language from July 20, 2025, for further consideration by the full City Council.

The amended language, the City Solicitor told the committee, reaffirms that the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) should act to protect public safety at scenes where federal immigration enforcement is occurring and "not to do the work of the federal immigration officers." The solicitor said the language was drafted with input from the ACLU and community stakeholders and is intended to require CPD to verify and document federal agents— activity without transforming local officers into immigration enforcers.

Members of the public urged stronger, more specific requirements. "We all know that ICE and related federal agents are out of control," said David Sullivan, a Cambridge resident, arguing for the solicitor—s July 20 draft. Julia Schlossman, another resident, said the proposed changes "close a loophole" that previously would have allowed CPD to erect traffic barriers or provide other assistance to ICE and that such assistance "is entirely inappropriate for our local police."

Several advocacy organizations and volunteers described efforts to document immigration enforcement in Cambridge. John Faria, a volunteer with the LUSI Defense Hotline, described a local verification network that texts volunteers when suspected ICE activity is reported and said volunteers often face intimidation when attempting to document agents— actions. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, represented at the meeting by Laura Rotolo, said it supports the July 20 amendments as a balanced legal response to evolving federal practices.

Other public commenters urged the committee to go further. Alex Matthews of Digital Force said Cambridge can legally require CPD to ask people purporting to be federal agents for names and badge numbers and, if they refuse, treat them as ordinary members of the public unless forcible interference is implicated. John Hawkinson, speaking on draft language form, suggested the ordinance should direct the police department as an agency rather than specifying "command staff" duties inside the ordinance text.

After public comment the committee took formal actions. On a motion by Councilor D. Nolan, the committee voted in a roll-call vote to close public comment (six voting yes, three members absent). On a subsequent motion by Councilor Nolan, the committee voted to bring the amended July 20 language forward so the council and staff have the language before them for discussion and further action (six voting yes, three absent). The solicitor said the proposed changes do not prevent CPD from taking actions necessary to protect public safety but clarify that CPD—s role is limited to public-safety functions and not federal immigration enforcement.

The meeting record shows sustained community concern about ICE activity in Cambridge, reports of alleged impersonation of officers, and calls for clearer verification and documentation duties for CPD. The solicitor noted the city—s authority to use remote participation (citing Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025) and reminded the committee that the language reflects compromise among city staff, police leadership, and civil liberties advocates.

Next steps identified at the meeting: the amended language will be placed before the full City Council for consideration; the committee did not vote to adopt an ordinance at this meeting. A petition submitted July 23 asking the council to seek regular updates from federal authorities about detainees was noted as a communique added to the Aug. 4 City Council agenda. The committee also shortened public-comment time to two minutes for this session because of quorum constraints.

Sources: meeting transcript of the Cambridge City Ordinance Committee, Aug. 4, 2025; public commenters; City Solicitor statement to the committee.