Burlington mayor responds to city being named ‘sanctuary jurisdiction'
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – After the Department of Homeland Security released Friday a list of 'sanctuary jurisdictions' that do not comply with federal immigration law, Burlington mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, whose city was specifically named along with Winooski, Montpelier, and the state of Vermont as a while, said she disagreed that the city is violating federal law.
'Burlington has had a Fair & Impartial Policing Policy for years – this policy offers important guidance to local law enforcement officers, both to prevent discrimination on the basis of protected classifications, and to provide explicit clarity that our local police agency is not charged with enforcement of civil immigration law.
'This policy is crucial for maintaining trust between the community and the police department, and it ensures that people can call for help without fear of discrimination based on immigration status or other protected class.'
Burlington Mayor announces who she intends to hire as fire chief
The city's official policy, effective as of October of last year, cites the protections against 'unreasonable search and seizure' offered by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in saying that Burlington police officers do not have the authority to enforce federal immigration law, and may not detain people on behalf of federal immigration authorities without a warrant.
Read Burlington's Fair & Impartial Policing Policy hereDownload
The list of 'sanctuary jurisdictions' complies with Executive Order 14287, which cites 'public safety and national security risks' and allows the federal government to cut off funding to states, counties, and municipalities on the list. It calls lack of compliance with immigration authories 'lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law'.
New Hampshire bill would target sanctuary cities like Lebanon and Hanover
The neighboring state of New Hampshire recently banned sanctuary cities in the state, with governor Kelly Ayotte saying, 'New Hampshire will never be a sanctuary for criminals, and we will keep working every day to remain the safest state in the nation.' Neverthless, Lebanon and Hanover in New Hampshire were specifically named on the list.
Mulvaney-Stanak says she has no intention of changing the city's policies to match federal demands. 'Burlington, like other communities identified as sanctuary jurisdictions, has a proud history of welcoming immigrants and refugees to our City, and we will not back down from ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit our community.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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