Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs signed an executive order that updates city protections for immigrant and New American communities, a move that directly affects residents who worry about federal immigration enforcement, according to CBS6 Albany.
The order explicitly prohibits the use of any city property for federal immigration enforcement actions, including staging, processing, or detention of individuals. It also requires the city to document any federal immigration enforcement activity that does occur on municipal grounds.
In addition to the property restrictions, the order codifies current Albany Police Department practices. It mandates that officers wear visible badges, use body‑worn cameras, and identify themselves clearly as police officers, a step the mayor says is intended to prevent public confusion between police and ICE agents.
Mayor Applyrs explained that community organizations have shared “horrific, horrific, horrific stories” about families who are afraid to leave their homes. She cited a recent incident in which a father and his four‑year‑old child were detained, noting that the fear generated by such actions can keep children from attending school and deprive families of essential services.
The new order builds on protections that were first established under former Mayor Kathy Sheehan, extending those safeguards to address current concerns. While the mayor could not recall any specific instance of ICE using city property in the past, she emphasized that the order is both a proactive and reactive measure to ensure that Albany remains a safe place for all residents.
By reaffirming police identification procedures, the mayor highlighted that “trust is essential and crucial to public safety,” especially when members of the public have mistakenly identified police officers as ICE agents.
What’s next: The executive order takes effect immediately, and city officials will begin documenting any federal immigration enforcement activity on municipal property. The Albany Police Department will continue to enforce the identification protocols outlined in the order, and community groups are expected to work with city staff to monitor compliance and address any lingering concerns among immigrant families.
Sources: cbs6albany.com
