Salem Will Not Enforce Federal Immigration Law: Police Chief

SALEM, MA — Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said the city's police department "does not and is not authorized to enforce federal immigration law" on Thursday in a statement designed to ease any concerns within the city's immigrant population about their interactions with officers.

He said the department had received inquiries about any potential changes in enforcement policies — presumably in the wake of Donald Trump's re-election to the presidency.

"We recognize that there is concern, particularly in our immigrant community, about what the future might bring," Miller said. "We will continue to adhere to our mandate to protect the safety of all Salem residents and visitors, regardless of their immigration status.

"We will continue to adhere to our belief that local law enforcement must be able to interact with victims, witnesses, and even suspects without their fearing that cooperation with the police will jeopardize their presence here in the United States."

Miller said the city will also continue its "aggressive stance toward hate crimes" and that "our protection is most vital" where people are most vulnerable.

"We acknowledge that the people of Salem are our employers. That fact, and our conscience, will continue to guide our hands and our hearts," Miller said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)