Select Board updates ICE position statement, votes to send letter to federal delegation

The Select Board discussed a revised town position statement on immigration enforcement and voted to send a letter to the federal delegation requesting action and clearer notification practices for enforcement activity in Falmouth.

Town counsel and staff presented a redlined update to the board that retains a firm criticism of in‑custody deaths and other practices flagged in recent reports while explicitly stating that the town does not dispute the rights of federal officials to enforce federal law. Vice Chair Goldstone and other members pressed for language that would request notification to the Falmouth Police Department of planned federal activities and to reaffirm that local police may collaborate with federal agencies on criminal matters when appropriate.

Board members debated specific wording — some argued for stronger condemnatory language about deaths in custody and others for explicit assurance that the town welcomes collegial information‑sharing for law enforcement when warrants and criminal enforcement are involved. Several members asked staff to produce a clean revised draft; town staff said a clean version would be provided within days for board review. The board voted to send the revised letter to the federal delegation (motion carried), while directing staff to return a clean draft of the policy statement for finalization at a future meeting.

The transcript shows that the board discussed placement of clear language making explicit that any notification be shared with the police department and not broad town disclosure. The board also discussed signage on town property and the limits of local authority to restrict federal enforcement on private or religious properties.