LYNN— Mayor Jared Nicholson has issued an executive order aimed at protecting the safety, civil rights, and dignity of all Lynn residents, while reaffirming the City’s commitment to public safety and the rule of law.
The order makes clear that Lynn remains a welcoming city for all residents, regardless of immigration status, and establishes firm limits on the use of City property and resources for federal civil immigration enforcement activities. The mayor said the measure is grounded in both constitutional principles and Lynn’s lived experience.
“Unfortunately, we do so based on specific experience,” said Nicholson, who appeared at a press conference at Boston City Hall Thursday as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced similar action she is taking. Nicholson referenced previous instances in which federal immigration enforcement operations took place on City property, including the police station parking lot, Manning Field parking lot and Pine Grove Cemetery.
The executive order affirms that City of Lynn employees and officials will serve the public equally and may not inquire about a person’s immigration status in the course of routine duties. It also reiterates that Lynn Police do not enforce federal civil immigration law and may not detain individuals solely based on civil immigration warrants.
Most notably, the order prohibits the use of City-owned property—including buildings, parks, parking lots, and other municipal spaces—as staging areas, processing locations, or operational bases for civil immigration enforcement. City departments have been directed to identify such properties and clearly mark them as unavailable for those purposes within 30 days of the order’s issuance.
The mayor emphasized that the order is designed to strengthen, not weaken, public safety, maintaining that when residents fear interacting with local government or calling 911, everyone is placed at greater risk.
“The intentional infliction of fear and chaos on our communities must stop,” Nicholson said, adding that undermining trust between residents and local law enforcement erodes the City’s ability to keep people safe.
Under the order, Lynn Police will continue to respond to all emergency calls, including reports of warrantless entries into private homes by federal officials, and will document incidents using body-worn cameras when appropriate. The department is also directed to investigate credible allegations of unlawful conduct by federal officers and make referrals to state authorities when warranted.
The executive order also underscores the City’s obligation to protect First Amendment rights. Lynn Police are tasked with safeguarding peaceful protests and, when safe to do so, intervening if any law enforcement officer—including a federal agent—is clearly using excessive force.
“So many of our most cherished rights are words on a page until our police officers are called to fulfill them,” Nicholson said, praising the Lynn Police Department for its professionalism and commitment to constitutional policing.
The mayor thanked regional leaders, state officials, and community advocates for their support, noting that Lynn is acting in solidarity with other Massachusetts municipalities confronting similar challenges.
“The authoritarian ideology gripping current ICE leadership is most threatened by communities who are open and welcoming,” Nicholson said. “Lynn is one of those communities.”
The executive order took effect immediately upon being signed and, Nicholson said, represents a firm statement that Lynn will continue to prioritize safety, peace, democracy, and human dignity for all who call the city home.
