Whoever ICE arrested at the Chelsea Market Basket, he wasn't from Chelsea, which has no plans to join any mass roundups, city official says

Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez e-mailed residents today:

Dear Chelsea Community,

As someone who immigrated to this country as a young child, I understand deeply the importance of keeping families together and supporting the safety and well-being of all who call Chelsea home. Recently, there have been troubling reports regarding ICE raids in our community paired with a concerning announcement from the President about fast-tracking deportations of immigrants and that schools and churches are vulnerable to these operations.

As of today we can confirm that while ICE temporarily mobilized in Chelsea, to our knowledge, there were no subsequent arrests of Chelsea residents.

Massachusetts law – and the law of our city – does not allow local authorities to detain individuals solely due to their immigration status. A 2017 Supreme Judicial Court case, Lunn v. Commonwealth made it clear that local law enforcement cannot enforce federal immigration laws.

The City of Chelsea will continue to focus on serving all of our residents. The Officers of the Chelsea Police Department are focused on protecting our community and upholding local and state laws, not federal immigration enforcement. City of Chelsea employees, including the members of our Chelsea Police Department (CPD), do not, and will not, inquire about immigration status during routine interactions.

To reiterate this, Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton sent a memo to every Chelsea police officer outlining the department’s priorities and limitations; that the department’s priority continues to be ensuring public safety and fostering strong community relationships; and that the department does not enforce federal immigration laws and will not engage in actions that undermine trust with our immigrant communities.

While the police department does comply with judicial warrants and court orders, the members of CPD do not act as agents of ICE. The department only communicates with ICE in cases involving serious criminal offenses, such as violent crimes, consistent with state law and departmental policy.

When it comes to Chelsea Public Schools (CPS), our schools are committed to providing a safe learning environment where all individuals are treated with kindness and respect. We believe that our diversity and inclusivity is our strength. Everyone belongs at Chelsea Public Schools.

When it comes to our students or families’ immigration status, please know that CPS maintains the following protections:

CPS will not release information contained in pupil records to federal agencies without the permission of the student’s parent or guardian or pursuant to judicial warrant, subpoena, court order or as otherwise required by law.

Requests to enter any Chelsea Public Schools by any immigration enforcement office shall immediately be forwarded to the Superintendent’s Office for review to ensure the safety and confidentiality of all students, as well as compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

While there is uncertainty surrounding national policy, please rest assured that our city will continue to protect the dignity and rights of every resident. If you or someone you know faces the threat of deportation, there are resources available; we are sharing links to online resources below. We will also work with our legal partners to continue offering opportunities for our residents to understand their rights and protections under Massachusetts law.

I am proud of the diverse community we’ve built here in Chelsea. We are stronger because of our immigrant population, and we will not let fear or misinformation divide us. Chelsea is a city for all, and that will never change.

Stay safe and may God bless the City of Chelsea.

Fidel Maltez
City Manager
City of Chelsea

Resources

ACLU Massachusetts
The ACLU of Massachusetts - a private, nonpartisan organization with more than 82,000 supporters across the Commonwealth and over 100,000 online activists - is a state affiliate of the national ACLU. They defend the principles enshrined in the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, as well as the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office

The Attorney General’s Office recognizes the value of our diverse communities and serves all Massachusetts residents, regardless of immigration status. They will not ask about your immigration status.

Massachusetts & Immigration Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)

MIRA’s website includes resources to help ensure immigrants know their rights in different contexts. MIRA provides “know your rights” trainings for groups, and encourages you to use and share the pre-recorded multilingual presentations available below.

Mass Legal Help
On this website, you can learn about your legal rights in Massachusetts. The content is written and reviewed by legal aid programs, lawyers, and community partners.