Residents urge caution as Kensington police consider ICE 287(g) agreement

At the May 6 Kensington Board of Selectmen meeting, Police Chief Scott Cain presented information about a possible ICE 287(g) Memorandum of Agreement and answered questions from the board and the public.

Chief Cain told the board the MOA would allow local officers to coordinate directly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on detainers and that certain program elements could yield training credit and grant eligibility. He said the MOA might provide about 14.5 hours of annually approved training credit toward the state-required 24 hours, potential equipment reimbursements (discussed informally as roughly $100,000), and an estimated $7,500 per quarter per full‑time officer in federal reimbursement funding; he cautioned the town’s eligibility and the timing of payments were uncertain. “I am checking with towns that have and have not signed [the agreement] for input,” Chief Cain said; he added legal counsel is reviewing the agreement’s liability language and that the department could withdraw if promised funds do not materialize.

The presentation referenced state statutes SB 62 and HB 511 (effective January 2026), which the chief summarized as requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities and prohibiting municipalities from restricting such cooperation; the board noted the statutes also authorize penalties of up to a 25% loss of state funding for noncompliance.

Public comment drew extended remarks from more than 30 attendees. Steven Greenland said he opposed the town participating and asked whether outside pressure influenced the chief’s decision. Jennifer Fox said, “This is not the ICE of 2019 … we are selling our soul with any engagement at all.” Several residents raised concerns about detainers and whether ICE detainers can be invalid; Steve Sniderman warned that an invalid detainer can lead to an improper detention, and Chief Cain replied that officers verify detainers are properly issued by the appropriate agency.

Concerns raised repeatedly included community trust and perception (including worries about children’s safety), the town’s legal exposure under the MOA’s indemnification language, and doubts about whether promised federal reimbursement would arrive after the town pays for training or equipment. Joni Praded said she reviewed the federal MOA materials online and advised the board to examine liability clauses carefully; Chief Cain acknowledged those concerns and said he was awaiting legal review.

Several residents offered alternatives or assistance: Ben Cole offered free training, and Elizabeth Webber, identified as an immigration expert, offered to provide education to the department. Others urged the board to consider whether county sheriff resources might mitigate local exposure; Chief Cain replied county coverage may not be available at the time of a stop or might not include the same training.

Board members did not vote on the MOA; Chair Sara Hamilton said the board would move on in the agenda and that the chief had not made a decision. After public comment closed at 8:12 p.m., Chief Cain said he would weigh public input and board feedback before deciding whether to pursue the agreement.

The meeting record shows no formal action on adopting or rejecting the 287(g) MOA at this session; the issue remains under review pending additional legal review and follow-up from the chief.