Town Issues Statement Reaffirming Amherst’s Status as a Sanctuary City

Source: amherstma.gov

Today, Town of Amherst officials were made aware of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action that resulted in residents being taken into custody in the nearby community of Northampton.

We – the Town Manager, Chief of Police, Superintendent of Schools, and the Director of Diversity, Equity – are appointed officials and leaders of the town entrusted with the responsibility to uphold both its laws and its values. The Town of Amherst is a sanctuary community and as such shall not cooperate with ICE (in accordance with Town of Amherst Bylaw Section 3.9).  Bylaw Section 3.9 declares the town as a sanctuary community.

Today, in writing, we affirm that we continue to welcome new immigrants to our great nation and to our community.  We encourage immigrants and their families to build lives in our community, as many of our ancestors have done.

Section 3.9 of the Town of Amherst General Bylaws, which were revised by the Town Council in April 2024, declares the Town of Amherst as a sanctuary community and states clearly that: 

To the extent permissible by law, a Town department, or officer or employee of a Town department shall not perform the functions of an immigration officer, whether pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1357(g) or any other law, regulation, or policy, whether formal or informal.

We, as Community Leaders, stand with our neighbors, whether they be new or old, and, we encourage one another to adhere to the long-standing values of our great Nation, of “liberty and justice for all.”

Paul Bockelman, Town Manager
Pamela Nolan Young, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion    
Gabriel Ting, Chief of Police  
Dr. E. Xiomara Herman, Superintendent of Schools