Eat Out in East and address the effect of federal actions on Somerville
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are out in East Somerville, and the streets are noticeably silent. Multiple East Somerville residents have been detained by Ice in the past two weeks. No one has been charged with any crimes, and some even held a protected status. We are uncertain about the exact number because some cases may be unreported by the community, giving Ice time to quickly move people out of state to be processed for expedited deportation. The city is working with Greater Boston Legal Services and the ACLU to provide legal assistance to our residents.
These detentions are not being reported by the federal government to Somerville or any agency that may provide residents with their constitutional rights to due process. Ice agents wear masks to instill fear in the community. I recently condemned the use of masks by federal agents at a City Council meeting, citing the International Association of Chiefs of Police who also condemn the use of masks.
East Somerville businesses, 70 percent of which are immigrant owned, have also been hurt. At least three businesses have closed since Donald Trump took office in January. The decline in business as well as tariffs are negatively impacting our community and tax base. The lack of neighborhood presence on the streets only makes us less safe…