Attorney Mooradian Speaks before Worcester City Council on Sanctuary Policy

On January 31, 2017, hundreds of protesters attended the Worcester City Council meeting in support of the sanctuary policy exercised by the Worcester Police Department.

The sanctuary policy, much like other sanctuary policies nationwide, states that the Worcester Police Department will not use local policing powers to enforce the federal immigration laws. Of course, criminal conduct for which there is a conviction, or for which the person is lawfully held, can still result in immigration consequences.

Attorney Mooradian argued to the City Council that sanctuary policies keep all of us safer by promoting good relations between immigrant communities and the local police.  He also noted the rich immigrant history and resilience of immigrants here in the City of Worcester. Ultimately, the City's current sanctuary policy was kept in place by a 9-2 vote of the Worcester City Council.