Worcester Prohibits Use of City Property for ICE Operations

The city has amended its policy to further protect residents from federal immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The City of Worcester, Massachusetts has amended its policy on how municipal employees and police officers interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The new policy prohibits ICE agents from using any municipal property, including buildings, open spaces, and parking lots, to stage or prepare for federal civil immigration enforcement actions. The city also reaffirmed that no municipal resources will be used to assist with federal civil immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

This policy change comes amid growing national and statewide concerns over aggressive ICE activity that many view as inhumane and disruptive to local communities. By prohibiting the use of city property for ICE operations, Worcester is taking a strong stance to protect its residents and limit the ability of federal immigration agents to conduct enforcement actions within the city.

The details

The amended policy, issued by City Manager Eric D. Batista, builds on Worcester's previous guidelines for how municipal employees and the police department should interact with ICE. The new rules prohibit ICE agents from accessing records, information, or non-public areas of city buildings for federal civil immigration enforcement. Municipal employees are also required to report the presence of any ICE agents at city facilities. Additionally, the city will not enter into any 287(g) agreements that allow local law enforcement to perform federal immigration enforcement functions.

  • On May 16, 2026, City Manager Eric D. Batista issued an Executive Order establishing guidelines for the city's response and interaction with ICE.
  • The new amendments to the policy were announced on February 4, 2026.

The players

Eric D. Batista

The City Manager of Worcester, Massachusetts who issued the Executive Order and new policy amendments regarding the city's interaction with ICE.

Worcester Police Department (WPD)

The local law enforcement agency in Worcester that is prohibited from assisting with federal civil immigration enforcement under the new policy.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The City of Worcester is watching the horrific events play out across the country as ICE continues to wreak havoc on communities with no regard for humanity, and I want to reaffirm the policy in place for how our municipality is to interact with federal agents.”

— Eric D. Batista, City Manager (Patch.com)

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor the implementation of the new policy and ensure that municipal employees and the police department adhere to the guidelines prohibiting cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement actions.

The takeaway

Worcester's amended policy represents a strong stance against the aggressive tactics of ICE and a commitment to protecting the rights and wellbeing of the city's diverse residents. By prohibiting the use of city property and resources for federal immigration enforcement, Worcester is asserting its local control and rejecting the disruption that ICE activity can bring to communities.