An executive order from Worcester’s City Manager Eric Batista has put his administration and local police at the center of a heated debate over cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

According to Breitbart News, Batista issued an executive order on May 16 barring city employees, including the Worcester Police Department, from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on federal civil immigration enforcement.

The move came just after the release of police body camera footage showing the arrest of Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, who reportedly attempted to interfere in an ICE operation. Batista’s directive aims to limit the involvement of local agencies in federal immigration matters, igniting sharp reactions from both supporters and critics.

Batista’s Order Addresses Police Conduct with ICE

City Manager Eric Batista’s new policy makes clear that municipal employees are forbidden from participating in operations led solely by federal immigration authorities. The order specifically states that “municipal employees shall not participate in an operation led by a federal agency solely for the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws.”

Additionally, the executive order prohibits city workers from asking about immigration status or letting immigration status influence how they treat anyone in the community. The order covers all interactions, including those with residents, victims, suspects, arrestees, and even 911 callers.

Batista’s directive also bans police from launching investigations or taking law enforcement action based solely on a person’s immigration status. This policy change marks a significant shift for Worcester’s police, who have at times cooperated with federal agencies during immigration enforcement actions.

Critics Raise Concerns over Public Safety and Legal Authority

Not everyone is on board with Batista’s order. Critics argue that the policy could undermine public safety and tie the hands of local law enforcement. They say that refusing to cooperate with ICE may allow potentially dangerous individuals to avoid appropriate scrutiny.

Some opponents claim the order oversteps Batista’s authority by limiting the police department’s ability to work with federal agencies. These critics argue that collaboration between local and federal law enforcement is crucial for addressing serious crimes, including those involving undocumented immigrants. Supporters of federal immigration enforcement also contend that municipal policies like Worcester’s could create a patchwork of enforcement across the country, making it harder for ICE to do its job consistently.

Supporters Applaud Move to Protect Immigrant Communities

On the other side of the debate, immigrant advocates and some city officials have praised Batista’s decision. They argue that limiting cooperation with ICE builds trust with immigrant communities, encouraging people to report crimes and seek assistance without fear of deportation.

Supporters say that local police should focus on community safety rather than enforcing federal civil immigration laws. According to them, Batista’s order helps ensure that all residents are treated equally, regardless of their immigration status.

They also point to research suggesting that greater separation between local police and federal immigration enforcement makes immigrant communities safer, as people are more likely to engage with law enforcement when they are not afraid of being targeted for immigration reasons.

Details of the Executive Order Clarify the Scope

Batista’s order is explicit in its limitations. It states that no person will be detained by Worcester police solely on the basis of a federal civil immigration detainer. This means that once a person is eligible for release from local custody, police must not extend detention to allow ICE agents to take custody for civil immigration violations.

The order further clarifies that nothing in its language should prevent the city or police department from complying with other lawful requests from the federal government. It also leaves the door open for cooperation with ICE on non-immigration matters, provided the primary purpose is not civil immigration enforcement.

Worcester’s New Policy Faces Scrutiny

Eric Batista, Worcester’s city manager, issued a sweeping order restricting local police and city employees from working with ICE on civil immigration matters. The decision followed public controversy after the arrest of Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, who was accused of interfering in an ICE operation.

The policy bars police from investigating, detaining, or extending custody based on federal civil immigration detainers alone while still allowing cooperation with ICE for non-immigration law enforcement. While supporters say the move protects community trust and immigrant rights, critics warn it may compromise public safety and hinder law enforcement effectiveness.