SWAMPSCOTT — During Wednesday night’s Select Board meeting, resident Keiko Zoll read a Proclamation on Federal Immigration Enforcement, Civil Liberties, and the Protection of Human Life.
Zoll reached out to the Board about the proclamation, which was signed by the whole Board, following recent ICE-related events across the country.
“Whereas in January 2026, multiple incidents involving Federal Immigration Enforcement resulting in the killing, detention, or harm of civilians in the United States including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen by an agent of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen by agents of US Customs and Border Patrol in Minneapolis Minnesota… whereas these incidents have occurred amid intensified federal immigration enforcement actions, including raids, detentions and deportation operations carried out in civilian neighborhoods, workplaces and public spaces — actions that have caused fear, disruption and harm to immigrant communities as well as to U.S. citizens and have undermined a sense of safety in communities across the nation,” Zoll read.
The proclamation continued to state that the killing of civilians and the use of force, intimidation, or coercion in these settings have prompted national outrage, grief, and civic response.
“Whereas such acts of violence and harm, whether directed at immigrants or US citizens, are unacceptable and stand in direct contradiction to the fundamental American rights and values that form the foundation of our democracy, including the rights to life, liberty, due process, peaceful expression, and freedom of fear,” she read.
The proclamation also noted that Swampscott reaffirms its commitment to being a community “where every person is safe, treated with dignity, and protected under the law, and where policies and practices that endanger lives, divide families, or instill fear in our neighbors are incompatible with our shared civic values and responsibility to one another.”
Select Board member David Grishman spoke on the executive orders signed recently by Mayor Michelle Wu and neighboring municipalities banning ICE from using city property for enforcement operations, stating that he feels Swampscott should do the same.
“I think many of us feel hopeless in the face of what is happening. And I think… a proclamation one could say does nothing, but one could also say it is actually using our voices to express our dismay, anger, and concern about what is happening to our fellow citizens and even noncitizens,” Vice Chair Dog Thompson said.
He noted that banding together can help turn the tide and that these actions should be continued.
Board member Danielle Leonard thanked Zoll and also thanked the other residents of Swampscott who reached out about a proclamation.
“I echo all of your thoughts. We exchanged a lot of emails about this. It’s a difficult time. It’s a difficult issue,” she said, adding that now is not the time to be quiet and agreeing with Grishman’s statement.
“I believe it’s our obligation to actually speak out and do what’s right at this time,” Leonard said.
Chair Katie Phelan has reached out to Town Administrator Nick Connors to add to the next agenda so that the Board can take a public stance on ICE.
“I just want to make sure that we check with all the correct avenues and get it done properly so that we are putting ourselves in the best position to enforce it should we have to,” Phelan said.
Police Chief Ruben Quesada noted that they do not enforce immigration enforcement and that they strictly adhere to a decision where the Supreme Judicial Court stated that Massachusetts Law Enforcement officer can’t detain an individual pass their state release time for immigration purposes following the 2017 Lunn v. Commonwealth decision.
“We don’t collect any immigration information. We do not assist with any immigration enforcement whatsoever. And I’ll also add… I’m a national co-chair person for the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force… and it truly is a consortium of police chiefs and sheriffs throughout the country who are advocating for sensible immigration reform,” Quesada said.
Phelan continued that if any residents fear what is happening, they should reach out.
Connors said that he is working with others to make sure something comes back for the next meeting on the subject.
