Worcester Bans ICE from Using City Property for Enforcement

Move follows similar actions in Providence and Massachusetts, raising questions about Boston's next steps

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The city of Worcester, Massachusetts has amended its executive order to prohibit federal immigration agents from using municipal parks, parking lots, and other public spaces to prepare for or stage civil immigration enforcement actions. This comes after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis, and follows similar moves by Providence, Rhode Island and the state of Massachusetts to limit ICE's ability to operate in certain "sensitive locations." Boston officials have not yet indicated whether they will pursue comparable protections for the city's large immigrant population.

Why it matters

Worcester's new policy reflects growing concerns about aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on immigrant communities. As a city with a sizable foreign-born population, Worcester is seeking to limit ICE's ability to use public spaces for operations, mirroring actions taken in other New England cities and states. This raises questions about whether Boston, with its own large immigrant population, will follow suit and enact similar protections.

The details

Under the amended executive order, ICE agents are now barred from using Worcester's municipal parks, parking lots, and other public spaces to assemble, mobilize, or deploy personnel and equipment for civil immigration enforcement. Worcester police officers are also required to verify the federal agent status of individuals on scene. The city cited "heightened distress" over unchecked federal immigration enforcement as the impetus for the new policy.

  • The amended executive order went into effect on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
  • In January 2026, two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, sparking nationwide backlash.
  • In late January 2026, Providence, Rhode Island Mayor Brett Smiley signed an executive order prohibiting ICE from using city property to support operations.
  • Shortly after, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order and proposed legislation to limit ICE activity in "sensitive locations" across the state.

The players

Eric Batista

The city manager of Worcester, Massachusetts who amended the executive order to prohibit ICE from using city property for immigration enforcement.

Brett Smiley

The mayor of Providence, Rhode Island who signed an executive order similar to Worcester's, prohibiting ICE from using city property to support operations.

Maura Healey

The governor of Massachusetts who signed an executive order and proposed legislation to limit ICE activity in "sensitive locations" across the state, following actions taken by Worcester and Providence.

Gabriela Coletta Zapata

A Boston City Councilor who expressed support for state legislation to limit how law enforcement can act in courthouses, in the wake of the Minneapolis ICE shootings.

Michelle Wu

The mayor of Boston, whose office did not respond to a request for comment on whether the city would pursue similar protections for its immigrant population.

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What they’re saying

“Today, with a heightened distress throughout the nation as federal enforcement of immigrations laws is increasing in an unchecked manner, we are building upon our policy with new amendments that further protect our residents.”

— Eric Batista, Worcester City Manager (boston.com)

“The tactics and operations that are being used for civil immigration enforcement right now undermine our ability to work with community. The City of Worcester celebrates and welcomes all of its residents, including our vibrant immigration population, and will stand united to ensure we remain a welcoming and inclusive city for all.”

— Eric Batista, Worcester City Manager (boston.com)

“The recent chaotic actions that we're seeing from the Trump administration are threatening immigrant communities and causing fear and uncertainty. Here in Providence, we're watching what's happening in other places around the country, and it is having an effect on us.”

— Brett Smiley, Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island (The Boston Globe)

What’s next

Boston officials have not yet indicated whether they will pursue comparable protections for the city's large immigrant population, following the actions taken by Worcester and other New England communities.

The takeaway

Worcester's new policy reflects growing concerns about aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on immigrant communities. As other New England cities and states take steps to limit ICE's ability to operate in certain "sensitive locations," the lack of a response from Boston raises questions about whether the city will follow suit in protecting its own sizable immigrant population.