Joint Statement from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, City Manager Louis A. DePasquale, and Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard, Jr. on new Welcoming Community Ordinance

We are so proud to announce that on Monday, February 10, Cambridge passed a “Welcoming Community” Ordinance, furthering the City of Cambridge’s commitment as a Sanctuary City. Other cities throughout the country and Massachusetts are likely to follow suit.

This ordinance simply codifies what our Cambridge Police Department already practices day in and out. The Cambridge Police Department does not inquire about immigration status or take police action based on someone’s immigration status. If a person is stopped by police for a traffic violation or if an accident takes place, the Cambridge Police Department will request documentation in compliance with their policies. Whenever a person does not possess a valid license, the Cambridge Police Department based on the officer’s discretion, allows another person with a valid license, to take possession of the vehicle.

Massachusetts’ law requires everyone operating a motor vehicle to obtain and maintain adequate automobile insurance. Failure to comply with this law has additional consequences; however, the Welcoming Community ordinance provides protection for individuals who may not have driver’s licenses to ensure that whenever possible they are not processed at the police station, where this information can be shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, should the individual taken into custody be an undocumented immigrant. Like all traffic stops, these decisions are at the discretion of the police officer involved.

Ultimately, this ordinance simply provides security within our immigrant communities to know that public services can be trusted. This ordinance furthers our commitments to ensure that Cambridge is a safe city for all and our police officers, fire department and emergency personnel are here to help.