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Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement Regarding Department of Justice Letter Asserting That Burlington’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy May Violate 8 U.S.C. § 1373

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 15, 2017
Contact:  Katie Vane
                  802.734.0617

 

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement Regarding Department of Justice Letter Asserting That Burlington’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy May Violate 8 U.S.C. § 1373

 

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement today regarding the Department of Justice letter asserting that Burlington’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy may violate 8 U.S.C. § 1373, a section of federal law related to immigration policy. As the Department of Justice reported in its press release, it is conducting this review as part of a periodic review of jurisdictions that previously certified compliance with this section as a condition of their Federal Fiscal Year 2016 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Awards. The City of Burlington certified compliance for its $40,000 Federal FY 2016 JAG Award.

 

“Today I received a letter from the current administration in Washington that I found concerning but unsurprising. I would like to share it with the community. We have long-anticipated receiving a letter like this from the current administration, which is why I called for a review of the City’s policy within weeks of the 2016 presidential election. We have looked at these issues carefully over many months, and contrary to the opinions asserted in today’s letter, we believe the Burlington Police Department is in compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 and we do not believe the Federal law requires us to implement the current President’s draconian immigration policies. Regardless of who populates the administration in Washington, the Federal government has no authority to deputize Burlington police officers to enforce Federal civil immigration laws.

 

“We are a welcoming city, and will remain so regardless of Federal actions that seek to undo the progress we’ve made as a nation. We will be responding to the letter by the deadline and forcefully arguing our case.”

 

* Please see Department of Justice Letter to the City of Burlington

 

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Press Release Date: 
11/15/2017
City Department: 
Mayor's Office