Several weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of preserving trust between local government and the people it serves, especially during moments when fear and uncertainty can divide communities. Since then, a great deal of very thoughtful conversation has occurred that has resulted in a focused, clear and impactful resolution that will soon be presented to the St Johnsbury Selectboard for their action. The proposed resolution is copied below.

The proposed resolution is not about shielding criminal activity, nor does it interfere with lawful federal investigations. In fact, the language specifically states that nothing in the resolution prohibits cooperation with federal authorities in criminal investigations, criminal warrants, public safety threats, or circumstances where participation is legally required.

Instead, the resolution meets the moment and addresses issues with which we all should be deeply concerned; specifically whether local government resources should be used for federal civil immigration enforcement activities, specifically ICE’s aggressive and often blatantly improper tactics. The resolution builds upon Vermont’s existing Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, which already limits local participation in civil immigration enforcement except where required by law or connected to criminal conduct.

The core purpose is straightforward; to ensure that St Johnsbury residents can report crimes, seek emergency assistance, attend school events, use public services, and interact with local institutions without fear that routine contact with town government could trigger civil immigration consequences or unwanted and unwarranted attention from ICE. This resolution is ultimately all about public safety and ensuring public trust.

I encourage all StJ residents to read the full proposed resolution below and engage in thoughtful conversation with neighbors, town officials, and members of the St J Selectboard.

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St Johnsbury Trust — A Community Resolution:

This resolution complements Vermont’s existing Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, which already limits cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities except where participation is required by law or connected to criminal activity. The resolution adds additional local protections and guidance to ensure residents can safely access municipal services, report crimes, seek emergency assistance, and participate in community life without fear that routine interactions with town officials will result in civil immigration enforcement consequences.

Section 1. Purpose; The purpose of this resolution is to promote public safety, strengthen trust between the municipal government and all residents of St. Johnsbury, and clarify that civil immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal authorities, not local government. This resolution complements Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy by providing additional local protections ensuring residents can access municipal services, report crimes, seek emergency assistance, and participate in community life without fear of civil immigration enforcement consequences. The Town further finds that strong community trust improves public safety outcomes and cooperation between residents and local institutions.

Section 2. Definitions; “Civil immigration enforcement” refers to actions undertaken by federal immigration authorities related to alleged violations of civil immigration law.

Section 3. Non-Participation in Civil Immigration Enforcement; Consistent with Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy and except where otherwise required by law, no department, officer, employee, or agent of the Town shall use town resources to investigate, enforce, orassist in the enforcement of federal civil immigration law. Nothing in this resolution prohibits cooperation with federal authorities in criminal investigations, criminal warrants, public safety threats, or circumstances where participation is legally required.

Section 4. Immigration Status; Inquiries Consistent with Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, town employees and law-enforcement officers shall not inquire into immigration status unless directly relevant to a criminal investigation or otherwise required by law.

Section 5. Detainer Requests; The Town shall not detain an individual solely on the basis of an ICE administrative detainer or immigration hold unless accompanied by a judicial warrant issued by a federal or state court.

Section 6. Access to Town Facilities; Federal immigration authorities shall not be granted access to town facilities, detainees, or nonpublic information for civil immigration enforcement purposes without a judicial warrant or informed consent of the individual involved.

Section 7. Equal Access to Services; All town services, programs, and benefits shall be administered without regard to immigration status.

Findings. The Town recognizes that Vermont has adopted statewide Fair and Impartial Policing standards limiting local participation in civil immigration enforcement except where required by law or connected to criminal conduct. The Town further finds that additional local protections and clear municipal guidance are necessary to preserve community trust, protect access to public services, and ensure residents feel safe interacting with local government and emergency services regardless of immigration status.