Measure Condemns Unlawful Immigration Enforcement Tactics and Urges State Action to Protect Civil Rights

NORTHAMPTON, MA (May 8, 2026) – The Northampton City Council voted unanimously last night to pass a resolution calling on Massachusetts state and local prosecutors to investigate and prosecute federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, when they violate Massachusetts criminal law while operating in the Commonwealth.

The resolution, titled “A Resolution Relative to Community Safety and Immigration Enforcement Activities Within the City of Northampton,” reaffirms Northampton’s commitment to protecting immigrant communities and condemns unconstitutional or unlawful immigration enforcement actions targeting Massachusetts residents.

The measure specifically calls on Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan to investigate and pursue accountability when federal officers engage in conduct that violates state criminal statutes.

“I am glad that the resolution approved last night included statements calling upon the Attorney General and District Attorney to investigate suspected violations of state criminal law by federal agents against all of our residents, especially immigrants,” said Jane Myers, a Northampton resident and Co-Chair of Congregation B’nai Israel’s Immigration Justice Committee. “This is only a first step. One important next step would be to call upon our mayor to instruct our police to work directly with the Attorney General and District Attorney so that our community, and especially those who are particularly vulnerable, will experience greater protection.”

Free Speech For People, a national legal advocacy organization that has supported similar resolutions across Massachusetts, welcomed the vote.

“Federal agents are not above state criminal law,” said John Bonifaz, President of Free Speech For People. “The Constitution does not grant federal agents immunity to commit assault, kidnapping, unlawful detention, or other crimes. State and local prosecutors have both the authority and the obligation to enforce state criminal laws when federal officers violate them.”

The resolution follows similar action recently taken by the Amherst Town Council and reflects growing concern among local officials throughout Massachusetts over federal immigration enforcement practices.

“I am thrilled to see this resolution pass in Northampton,” said Amherst Town Councilor Jill Brevik, the lead sponsor of the resolution passed on February 23, 2026, by the Amherst Town Council. “I hope other municipalities will continue to follow suit until we see real, tangible change at the state level, including ending the only remaining 287g agreement in New England, which we have not seen addressed by state officials to date.”

Under the Northampton resolution, copies will be transmitted to Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, and members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation.

Free Speech For People is leading a campaign calling on state and local prosecutors in multiple states across the country to open criminal investigations into President Trump, senior Trump officials, and ICE agents for conspiring to unlawfully arrest, detain, assault, and terrorize residents, including U.S. citizens, in their states. The organization has issued a series of detailed letters to state attorneys general and district attorneys urging them to carry out their duties to enforce state criminal laws against Trump and co-conspirators for crimes they have committed in their respective states. To access Free Speech For People’s December 2025 letter to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and local district attorneys, click here. To access all of the organization’s letters related to this campaign, click here.