ICE detention tests Acton’s ‘Welcoming Community’ status

Less than four months after town officials publicly reaffirmed Acton’s status as a “Welcoming Community” — but not a sanctuary city — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained two people outside Acton Police headquarters.

Police Capt. Brian Goldman said it’s the first ICE detainment here that he knows of since President Donald Trump’s re-election.   

With a one-time hypothetical now a reality, Select Board chair Mary Hartman says town policy on such immigration actions is holding for now. “I don’t think we should change,” she said. “Not yet. We have a practice in place already.” 

The current informal policy of the Acton Police Department is to neither comply nor interfere with federal ICE agents. Officers won’t give ICE information, but they cannot stop the agency from detaining someone — and don’t try. 

This is what police say occurred on May 17.

That day, Acton police stopped a 23-year-old Leominster man for running a red light. After a background check revealed three outstanding driving-related warrants issued in Natick, Framingham, and Marlborough, the motorist was taken to the police station and charged with having a default warrant. 

He was released into the custody of his mother upon the posting of $250 bail. The two were detained by ICE agents waiting outside the station.

Multiple Acton Bridge inquiries to local and Washington ICE offices about the status and location of the two remained unanswered as of last week. Their fate also remained unknown to Acton police, who do not track the disposition of ICE cases. 

Goldman told The Bridge that Acton police never informed ICE about the traffic stop or warrants. The captain would not speak to how ICE found out, but reiterated that his department did not notify its agents.

He also agreed with Hartman that the current guidelines are sufficient. 

“Even though it’s an informal policy, I think our mandate is pretty much set,” Goldman said. “We are not an extension of federal law enforcement, so we will not assist and we will not interfere.” 

Ripple effect? 

In 2017, Concordians voted at Town Meeting to adopt a “Welcoming Community” petition. The measure aimed to affirm support for immigrants and make Acton more inclusive.

However, the Select Board never formally enacted it as policy.

Town Manager Kerry Lafleur told the Select Board in January that the Select Board didn’t adopt the recommendations because “the informal policy of the Acton Police Department really matched what was contained in that petition.”

Shortly after Trump began his second White House term, town officials reexamined the “Welcoming Community” petition. 

Acton Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee co-chair Rose Cratsley said at the time that informal policies might not be enough. She believes that even more deeply now. 

In an email to The Bridge after ICE detained the son and mother in Acton, she said their case underscores a need for enforceable policies to protect immigrant communities. 

“We must strengthen local protections to ensure all residents — regardless of immigration status — feel safe and supported,” she said. 

Cratsley also said such situations have a ripple effect. 

“When ICE operates near safe spaces like our neighborhoods and our police station, it risks eroding the trust that community members — especially immigrants — place in local institutions,” she said.

 ‘We can’t interfere’ 

Legal constraints remain a barrier to stronger local protections for undocumented residents, officials say. 

Hartman said both the Select Board and Lafleur are bound by superseding law. “The town manager, in her job description, has to comply with all federal rules and regulations. So we have to respect federal authority,” she said. 

Goldman agreed, noting that local police could face legal consequences if they try to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

“We can’t interfere without getting in hot water,” he said. “So nothing on that front can change.”