Burlington's 2017 Sanctuary City Resolution and Fair and Impartial Policing Policy direct Burlington Police not to enforce federal civil immigration law or detain residents based solely on ICE detainer requests without a judicial warrant.
Following the 2017 federal immigration enforcement surge, Burlington's City Council passed a resolution affirming the city as welcoming to immigrants and refugees regardless of status. The Burlington Police Department's Fair and Impartial Policing Policy bars officers from inquiring about immigration status during routine encounters, honoring ICE administrative detainers without a judicial warrant, or assisting in civil immigration enforcement. Vermont reinforced this through statewide Fair and Impartial Policing standards adopted by the Criminal Justice Council, applying to all Vermont law enforcement.
Officers violating the policy face internal discipline. The city does not impose criminal penalties on residents based on immigration status and limits cooperation with ICE civil enforcement absent judicial process.
See how Burlington's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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