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Council agrees to post interim statement clarifying city policy on federal immigration cooperation
Summary
Council agreed to post a brief city statement clarifying that Barre has not entered into 287(g) agreements and that local agencies must follow state fair-and-impartial-policing policy; chief and manager will finalize edits before posting.
Council discussed a draft interim statement in response to constituent inquiries about whether the city would enter cooperative federal immigration agreements such as 287(g) or participate in Operation Stonegarden. The manager and police chief reminded council that the Vermont fair‑and‑impartial policing policy — which local agencies must follow — precludes civil immigration enforcement by local police. The draft statement emphasizes that any municipal decision to enter a federal agreement would require full council review, public notice and state approval.
Council members asked that the statement be published by the city (website and social forums) to reduce misinformation and provide a clear, consistent answer to residents. The mayor said he had no objection to posting a "state of the city" statement that makes clear current practice and that staff will allow the manager and police chief latitude to refine language before publication. "Under that fair and impartial policing policy, we cannot enforce civil immigration," the Police Chief (speaker 9) said. The mayor and manager stressed that any formal agreement would also require review by the governor and attorney general under state process, so the city is not positioned to unilaterally commit to federal immigration enforcement.
The council directed staff to make edits and post the clarification on the city website and recommended community channels.
