Acton makes Homeland Security’s ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’ list
The list included Massachusetts, itself, as a sanctuary state and all but one of the Commonwealth’s 14 counties.
The federal Department of Homeland Security is demanding that Acton — and a long list of other communities — revise so-called sanctuary policies amid the government’s ongoing immigration crackdown.
DHS published its list late last week and said each jurisdiction was defying federal immigration law.
Reached by phone, Acton Police Lt. Timothy Landers said the department would follow guidance from the town and state Attorney General Andrea Campbell. He referred other questions to town leadership, who did not immediately answer inquiries.
In January, Town Manager Kerry Lafleur said informal policies and a 2017 resolution to make Acton a “Welcoming Community” followed the law and didn’t interfere with federal law enforcement.
Earlier this month, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained two people outside Acton police headquarters, Select Board chair Mary Hartman said she saw no immediate need to change CPD’s practice of neither interfering nor assisting in federal immigration operations.
Amid calls to upgrade protections, she said the town is legally required to respect federal authority. Police Capt. Brian Goldman had a similar message, saying current practices are working.
Formal notification
Sanctuary policies often limit cooperation between local authorities and federal law enforcement on immigration issues. Days after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Lafleur said, “Acton is not a sanctuary city.”
She acknowledged the Welcoming Community vote at Town Meeting but said officials never codified the policies it recommended after deeming current practices sufficient.
Despite Lafleur’s insistence, the DHS tagged Acton and 11 other Massachusetts cities and towns as “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The list followed a late-April executive order from President Donald Trump and spanned 35 states and the District of Columbia.
The list included Massachusetts, itself, as a sanctuary state and all but one of the Commonwealth’s 14 counties.
DHS said every listed jurisdiction would get a “formal notification of its non-compliance and all potential violations of federal criminal statutes.” The department asked communities to “immediately review and revise their policies” but didn’t specify any penalties for non-compliance.
“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law.”
The same day the DHS issued its list, Campbell condemned “aggressive ICE tactics” and noted “increased immigration enforcement activity across Massachusetts.”
The AG’s office released a “Know Your Rights” guide and said it aimed to answer questions from constituents about federal authorities, the role of local police, and individual rights.
Resident’s reaction
Trump entered office promising “mass deportations.” While the town reaffirmed its stance, local faith leaders vowed their support for congregation members regardless of immigration status.
Sigmund Roos and Ruthy Bennett, who promoted the Welcoming Community plan, said in January that they viewed the measure as a sanctuary policy. But they acknowledged how enshrining practices now could put a target on Acton.
On Friday afternoon, with the town in the Trump administration’s spotlight, Roos said he hopes local leaders hold firm.
“They’re going to try to intimidate us into believing that refusing to cooperate is the same thing as interfering,” he said.
“I don’t think our town is dumb enough to fall for this.”
