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Somerville council adopts Fourth Amendment resolution after labor and community testimony
Summary
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution affirming Fourth Amendment protections and urging businesses to require judicial warrants before allowing federal agents entry, supported by labor unions, community organizations and the mayor.
The Somerville City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Feb. 12 affirming the city’s support for Fourth Amendment protections and urging local businesses to require judicial warrants before allowing federal agents into private workplaces.
Councilor Hart introduced the resolution, which cites concerns about warrantless workplace searches by federal immigration enforcement that the sponsors said have disrupted small businesses and scared workers from coming to work. Hart said the measure is intended to protect constitutional rights and help businesses and employees know their options.
Several speakers endorsed the resolution at the public‑comment portion. Yesenia Alfaro, a business agent with UFCW Local 1445, said the union represents hundreds of laundry workers and that I‑9 audits and ICE actions have driven fear among employees, “Some fear that I bring them the fear to even come to work, even though they have documentation status,” she said. Jack Kentsla, political director for UFCW Local 1445, told the council his union includes more than 800 members working across Somerville and urged the council to adopt language that would support businesses that choose to ask to see judicial warrants.
David Gibbs, executive director of the Community Action Agency of Somerville, described program disruptions at Head Start and other services following immigration enforcement actions and urged the council to match the resolution with concrete support for affected families and programs.
Mayor Wilson told the council the resolution aligns with an executive order the mayor signed on Friday and advised councilors to follow up with department heads on implementation details.
Councilors from multiple wards cosponsored the resolution, praised the training and "Know Your Rights" outreach the city has been doing, and asked that the resolution be distributed alongside the mayor’s executive order; the council approved the measure with a copy to the Housing, Economic and Community Development office.
What happens next: The council placed a copy of the resolution on file and sent it, with a copy, to HECD for follow‑up about outreach and training resources.
Sources: Text of resolution read by the clerk; testimony from Yesenia Alfaro (UFCW), Jack Kentsla (UFCW), David Gibbs (Community Action Agency of Somerville); remarks by Mayor Wilson and Councilor Hart.
