Durham City Council Votes for Employee Protection Against Immigration Raids

On Tuesday, the Durham City Council unanimously declared the city a “fourth revised workplace,” aiming to shield city employees in North Carolina from immigration enforcement actions unless there is a proper warrant. This resolution instructs city staff to uphold the Fourth Amendment in workplaces and city agencies, also calling for reports on any obstacles to effective training regarding the amendment.

Durham now joins Carrboro as the second city in the Triangle area to adopt such protective measures, following a similar decision made in May. This unanimous vote comes in response to a July incident when four plainclothes ICE agents appeared at the Durham County Courthouse to detain an undocumented individual facing felony charges. Although no arrests were made, the agents’ presence sparked protests among community members.

“Residents have seen ICE agents in our community, leading to significant fear and uncertainty,” remarked Mayor Leo Williams. He noted that while local leaders may not have the legal authority to obstruct federal ICE actions, they can offer strategic support to their community.

The resolution was introduced by Councillor Javiera Caballero with backing from Ciembra NC, a group advocating for Latino migrant workers throughout the state. During the public comment period, various residents expressed their fears regarding immigration enforcement. One resident, Melanie, described the anxiety felt by children in the community: “I witnessed kids struggling with deep fears, unable to sleep or go to school. Living with that kind of anxiety is just unbearable.”

In April, the Department of Homeland Security had designated Durham a “sanctuary county.” County officials, however, had previously rejected this designation, citing a lack of legal foundation while claiming they did not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.