Council Opposes Federal Immigration Powers
At a glance
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Worcester City Council voted 8-2 to oppose pursuing or entering a 287(g) agreement that would give federal immigration enforcement powers to Worcester officials. The council also ordered a report explaining how the proposal was brought to the city and reaffirming the city's intent not to enter such an agreement.
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What this means
The resolution states that Worcester officials should not receive federal immigration enforcement authority through a 287(g) arrangement or similar agreement. The council also approved funding, public safety, transportation, housing, environmental, and administrative actions, including a $438,000 mental health grant and further review of winter snow operations and electric-vehicle charging locations. Many resident requests for sidewalk, street, sewer, traffic, and parking improvements were referred to committees or adopted for follow-up.
Key decisions
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- Opposed pursuing, exploring, or entering into a 287(g) Task Force Model agreement or similar arrangement granting federal immigration powers to Worcester officials; adopted 8-2, with one councilor absent.
- Ordered a report from the City Manager, Police Chief, and City Solicitor about how the city received information about the 287(g) model and Worcester's intent not to enter such an agreement.
- Adopted a $438,000 Department of Mental Health grant and approved related financial and staffing measures.
- Approved the city's Hazard Mitigation Plan by a 10-0 vote, with one councilor absent.
- Approved a 90-day Supplier Diversity Audit covering city solicitations, no-bid contracts under $10,000, purchasing patterns, and participation by diverse business categories.
- Voted to advertise proposed ordinances establishing all-way stop controls at Granite Street and Loxwood Street/Holcombe Street, Elm Street and Sever Street, and Providence Street and Holcombe Street.
- Approved multiple street, sidewalk, sewer, traffic, parking, and accessibility requests, while referring additional petitions to the appropriate committees.
- Ordered reports on snowplow GPS tracking, snow operations staffing, equitable winter-weather treatment strategies, electric-vehicle charging locations, noise ordinance enforcement, municipal identification feasibility, and shelter conditions at 611 Main St.
- Urged UMass Chan Medical School to restore contributions to the Housestaffs' Health Benefit Fund and negotiate an equitable contract; adopted 10-0, with one councilor absent.
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