Julia Galvagna
Professor DiPaolo
WR152
2 March 2026
A Sanctuary City: Somerville’s Commitment to Protecting its Immigrant Communities
Dating back to America’s colonial period, the land that would become the City of Somerville has been a home to immigrants. It served as the site of key events in the American Revolution—such as Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride and the Revolutionary War—where American colonists fought for political independence and democratic freedom from the British Parliament. Formerly part of Charlestown, Somerville incorporated as a city in the nineteenth century and soon emerged into middle-class status due to rapid industrialization, attracting waves of immigrants to the city (“About Somerville”). Throughout the years, Somerville has acted as a sanctuary to its various immigrant communities, and its governance has evidenced a receptibility to immigrant contributions as well as fostered a diverse city culture. The city values and uplifts its residents, aiming to provide them with a sense of belonging and importance, and has repeatedly taken action against federal law enforcement attempting to unlawfully remove immigrant groups. Somerville's historically pro-immigrant government has positioned the city to protect its immigrant population through policies such as becoming a sanctuary city, proactively supporting immigrant businesses, and encouraging community engagement, enabling it to better withstand present-day pressures.
In the mid-nineteenth century, Somerville became a focal point of urban growth in the Boston area. The city boasted commercial and job opportunities, inexpensive housing, and rapid transit to Boston that attracted a diverse population of both internal and international migrants. Many early residents migrated from northern New England and Eastern Massachusetts, as well as from Canada, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Germany, and Sweden. As a result of its industrial expansion and close proximity to Boston, Somerville became known as a “streetcar suburb”: a residential community that developed along public transit lines in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The city created numerous jobs for semiskilled workers who operated complex industrial machinery of metal parts, clothing, confectioneries, printing supplies, and building materials. As a result, a large chunk of Somerville’s economy was fueled by immigrants seeking better housing and a commuter style of life. Despite being of mixed origin, Somerville’s residents developed solidarity around a working-class identity, forming a tight-knit multicultural society (Ueda 752-54).
Given the city’s long-standing reputation as welcoming and full of opportunities for immigrants, the Somerville City Council declared it a sanctuary city in 1987— the first piece of city legislation that was explicitly pro-immigrant—and has reaffirmed its status numerous times since. In sanctuary cities, the local police force does not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and cannot detain someone based on their immigration status, thereby promoting a safe relationship between police and immigrants in the community (Harrington et al. 45). The Somerville Sanctuary Resolution asserts that “the City of Somerville is hereby declared to be a City of Refuge and Sanctuary for oppressed people” and further states that these individuals “shall be afforded all rights and privileges offered and supplied to all people residing or working in the City.” The resolution explains that “many persecuted people…have come to Somerville where they have become productive members of [the] community,” which “has a diverse cultural heritage and multi-national population, of which [it] is proud, and has historically welcomed newcomers.” Each of these statements demonstrates the genuine importance of Somerville’s multicultural society to the city government, as well as the indispensable role of immigrants within its community (City of Somerville City Council 2-3).
The resolution also represents an assertion of local democratic authority, as Somerville's sanctuary status reinforces the idea that local governments are granted the right to determine how to best protect their residents. Critics of sanctuary cities may argue that this decreased federal involvement and an increase in immigrant residents will cause an area to become less monitored and therefore less safe. However, according to a study conducted on sanctuary cities, crime, and undocumented immigration, researchers identified no statistically discernible difference in crime rates across cities when measuring them before and after they declared their sanctuary status (O’Brien et al.). In fact, sanctuary cities experience, on average, 35.5 fewer crimes committed per 10,000 residents (Wong). Additionally, immigrant workers make up 25% of Somerville’s labor force; a factor that may be linked to unemployment being 1.1 percent lower in sanctuary cities than nonsanctuary cities (Vera Institute of Justice; Wong). These findings demonstrate that sanctuary cities not only uphold local democratic authority, but also promote safer and more economically stable communities, challenging misconceptions about impacts of immigrant populations.
Through today, Somerville has attracted various immigrant groups, with high populations now originating from Brazil, El Salvador, and Haiti, rather than primarily European or Canadian origin. In 2015, nearly 30% of its residents were born outside the country and 15% of residents were not registered U.S. citizens, with the top five immigrant groups being from Brazil, El Salvador, China, Portugal, and India in 2025 (Vera Institute of Justice; Harrington et al. 21). Susan Ostrander, a professor of sociology in the School of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University, notes that the long-standing ethnic diversity in Somerville has prevented the creation of ethnic group enclaves that have made other towns less receptive to newcomers of different classes or races. One interviewee of Ostrander’s remarked that “Somerville has never been a one-nationality immigrant city” and another said that the city seems to have “a bit of everybody” (Bambrick). Although the ethnic identity of Somerville’s immigrant population has changed since the nineteenth century, the city maintains its rich multicultural and working-class identity that has fostered a robust sense of community (Vera Institute).
Immigrants have also been represented in Somerville’s government. The city’s former mayor, Katjana Ballantyne (who served from January 2022 to January 2026) was born in Greece and raised in the United States by European immigrant parents. Her personal background has enabled her to better empathize and connect with Somerville’s immigrant populations, reflecting the city’s commitment to inclusivity. In her inaugural address, Ballantyne emphasized that Somerville is a “city embracing its differences, diversity, and progressive values…a place where [she] felt welcomed and included.” Having witnessed how fear of those seen as different can divide people, she has grown to value these differences and instead use them to empower a multicultural community. Among many other goals, Ballantyne aimed to cultivate a climate where new immigrants would feel welcomed and supported, local small businesses could thrive, the number of available jobs and workforce training would be greater. Overall, Ballantyne sought to make decisions that were in the best interests of the city’s residents and to encourage intercultural relations and support (“Watch Mayor Ballantyne’s Inaugural Address”).
However, she would face a setback that hindered her efforts to protect the immigrant community. Soon after President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term, he expanded the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency through policy changes that would intensify its enforcement of deportation measures, initiating aggressive raids on sanctuary cities that resulted in thousands of detentions and deportations nationwide (DHS). The Trump administration would even threaten to withdraw federal funds from cities with a sanctuary status, leading the City of Somerville under Mayor Ballantyne alongside the neighboring city Chelsea to sue the administration, as the cities stated that “the federal government’s attempts to coerce [them] into betraying [their] immigrant neighbors are unconstitutional, morally unacceptable and a danger to [their] full community.” They also believe it is critical to build and maintain trust between their communities and law enforcement. Without that trust, residents may feel unsafe and fearful in their own homes and hesitate to seek help from local police due to concerns they will be put at risk of immigration enforcement (“Massachusetts Sanctuary Cities Sue to Stop Trump”).
Although faced with challenges, Somerville’s community organizations continue to work to protect and inform the immigrant population. Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA) serves to connect immigrant and multilingual neighbors in Somerville with their local government and its resources. SOIA provides information regarding city services and referrals, legal assistance, civic empowerment, and in-language programming for these groups. A free downloadable packet of Know Your Rights resources in the residents’ language of choice is available, including a summary of one’s rights, examples of judicial and administrative warrants, information on identifying notary fraud, legal resources, and more in order to help immigrants and other communities be aware of their rights in the U.S., especially when confronted with federal immigration enforcement (“Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs”).
Despite municipal support, Somerville’s streets have become noticeably empty as a result of the threatening presence of ICE agents. The lack of neighborhood involvement not only makes the residents less safe amongst these times of crisis, but has negatively impacted local businesses (Parrillo). In response, Somerville City Councillor Matthew McLaughlin collaborated with local nonprofit East Somerville Main Streets and Connexion United Methodist Church to launch the initiative known as Eat Out in East. The initiative takes place every Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. and encourages locals to support food establishments in East Somerville—70% of which are immigrant-owned—to counter low activity, as three businesses have closed since President Trump began his second term. Local rumors of ICE agents in Somerville have evoked fearful responses from residents, leading them to eat out less to safeguard themselves from arrest. Even small businesses themselves have exercised an added degree of caution as they go about their work and daily lives (Palma & Pérez).
As part of the weekly events, residents are encouraged to visit the Connexion Church before any business on the provided dining guide. Not only will the initiative encourage residents to support the local businesses, but also to come by the church and discover opportunities to involve themselves in the community. Reverend Christy Wright, a provisional deacon and food justice advocate with Connexion, noted that the vision for Eat Out in East is to one day broaden the event to become a lively street festival and celebration of “who the community is,” providing everybody the chance to enjoy local food, culture, and the folks in it (Palma & Pérez). The East Somerville dining guide includes restaurants such as La Brasa, Oliveria’s Steak House, Lotus Xpress, Sister’s Caribbean, and many more (East Somerville Main Streets). The impact of the initiative has already been extensive in its outreach, both to the community and its culture; “I would just encourage people to come…[to]...East Somerville [and] stop by the Connexion church, because it's not just about eating out…it’s about getting involved in the community” voiced McLaughlin (Palma & Pérez).
Alongside municipal encouragement of community engagement, many Somerville locals themselves have been taking charge by forming anti-ICE protests. In late October of 2025, an Immigrant Solidarity March and Vigil was taking place when protest speaker Sussen Gazal led the crowd outside the restaurant La Brasa of East Somerville, a fine-dining Mexican restaurant presiding in the city for over a decade. Gazal proclaimed “we are in danger right now, because as you see, [La Brasa] is empty because of fear…this area used to be packed, now it’s empty” while residents reflected on what had once been a bustling part of their neighborhood, now diminished by federal immigration enforcement. Somerville resident Josh Dahl and his dog, Banjo, were also present at the march, both dressed as Captain America; a patriotic protector. Just a few weeks earlier, Dahl and Banjo were at the local Dunkin’ when a friend identified ICE agents in the parking lot. Dahl immediately ran outside to confront them, but the agents had already fled the scene. “[The agents] had pulled over an All Pro Painting pickup truck. The men who were in it were already gone” reported Dahl, and the four men taken in the encounter were later identified as being of Brazilian origin (Cambridge Day). By that point, more than 30 people—overwhelmingly of Brazilian origin—had been apprehended and taken by federal agents since the beginning of that year, revealing a clear pattern of targeted enforcement.
Somerville’s current mayor Jake Wilson was inaugurated on January 2nd 2026 and has since taken action to combat ICE in support of the city’s immigrant community. Mayor Wilson (alongside four other neighboring city officials) joined Boston mayor Michelle Wu at her announcement of an executive order to protect Bostonians from unconstitutional and violent federal operations, reinforcing Boston's commitment to ensuring safety of every resident. She also further enforced that the city’s police forces follow deescalation practices to ensure public safety in the event of a federal surge and that they will investigate all crimes committed in Boston, including those committed by federal agents (“Mayor Michelle Wu Announces Executive Order to Protect Bostonians”). These actions indicate a growing regional effort to affirm that local governments remain committed to protecting residents from unlawful practices.
Soon after, Mayor Wilson signed executive order 2026-01: Upholding the Rights and Safety of Somerville Residents Amid Unconstitutional Federal Actions. The executive order serves to “[protect] everyone’s dignity and humanity” and for Somerville to be “a city where all feel welcome and safe, regardless of their race, religion, immigration status, or national origin.” Mayor Wilson believes that local governments are “responsible for ensuring the public safety and wellbeing of all their residents through police powers afforded by the U.S. constitution,” particularly under the Tenth Amendment, which enshrines the right to state and local governments to enact public safety policies and prohibit the federal government from commandeering state and local resources. He deems the deployment of immigration enforcement agents to American cities as reckless and a violation to Somerville residents’ constitutional rights, arguing that ICE is destructive to communities and excessively violent. The executive order states that peaceful protestors will be protected and that public safety will be prioritized. It requires that city officials present during immigration enforcement actions or related protests summon medical services in the event that someone is injured. It also mandates that video surveillance will be released of law enforcement misconduct and instructs the Somerville Police Department must investigate all violence, property damage, and allegations of criminal conduct, including by federal officials (“Mayor Wilson Signs Executive Order 2026-01”).
From adopting a sanctuary city status to actively supporting immigrant business and encouraging community engagement, Somerville’s long-term appreciation of its immigrant population has aided its efforts to resist current pressures from the national government, such as that of ICE. , the City of Somerville has not strayed from uplifting and supporting its community. The historically resilient and multicultural community of Somerville would not be able to thrive without the power and support of its local government, which has helped the community thrive and develop for years. Somerville proudly upholds its sanctuary status, but as ICE agents invade cities and towns across the country, questions arise as to whether the city will be able to continue to protect its immigrant residents. As Susan Ostrander argues, the foundation for democracy is generally at the local level, and that small to medium-sized cities such as Somerville hold a special promise for democracy overall. With that hope in mind, the city appears resilient and determined not to back down in its efforts to defend its people, implementing pro-immigrant legislation, community initiatives, and active civic engagement to help the community persevere in the face of challenges.
Works Cited
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