Lincoln group forms in response to ICE arrests

A newly formed group called Lincoln Witness is asking the Select Board to quickly publicize a forthcoming set of FAQs about ICE and immigrants’ rights in the face of the federal crackdown, and to host an informational public event as it did shortly after the murder of George Floyd.

Several Lincolnites met in May after ICE detained people in Acton and “realized that it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ ICE raids would affect those who live and work in Lincoln, but ‘when’,” the group’s website says. Kim Jalet, who co-founded Lincoln Witness with Kathy Madison, told the Select Board on September 8 that “things are going to ramp up pretty quickly [with the start of the Patriot 2.0 arrest surge in Massachusetts] and we think time is of the essence at this point” to educate Lincolnites about what to do if they see ICE activity in town and how they can support immigrants. Lincoln Witness members, who now number more than 30, believe President Trump “is testing the waters for denying rights to others groups. Protecting the rights of one group protects all of us,” she added. 

Lincoln Witness members have participated in weekly vigils outside the ICE office in Burlington as well as other area protests and standouts. They’re establishing a network of people in Lincoln ready to mobilize as witnesses and reporters should ICE activity be detected in town, and printing and distributing “know your rights” cards in Spanish and Portuguese.

Jalet said that official town support for the aims of Lincoln Witness is especially appropriate in light of the town’s vote to designate Lincoln as a “safe and welcoming community” in 2018 — though not without some disagreement and controversy on the floor of Town Meeting.

“My staff is trained to follow the values expressed in Town Meeting. Those resolutions matter,” Town Administrator Tim Higgins said. “We do not assist ICE in its activities. We cannot interfere but we do not assist.”

Local law enforcement can’t be compelled by the federal government to carry out civil immigration enforcement but may also not interfere or obstruct ICE operations. However, “we’re also guided by law” when it comes to protecting bystanders and property, acting Chief of Police Jon Wentworth said.