Latest news with #EmmaMulvaney-Stanak
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Burlington mayor responds to city being named ‘sanctuary jurisdiction'
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – After the Department of Homeland Security released Friday a list of 'sanctuary jurisdictions' that do not comply with federal immigration law, Burlington mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, whose city was specifically named along with Winooski, Montpelier, and the state of Vermont as a while, said she disagreed that the city is violating federal law. 'Burlington has had a Fair & Impartial Policing Policy for years – this policy offers important guidance to local law enforcement officers, both to prevent discrimination on the basis of protected classifications, and to provide explicit clarity that our local police agency is not charged with enforcement of civil immigration law. 'This policy is crucial for maintaining trust between the community and the police department, and it ensures that people can call for help without fear of discrimination based on immigration status or other protected class.' Burlington Mayor announces who she intends to hire as fire chief The city's official policy, effective as of October of last year, cites the protections against 'unreasonable search and seizure' offered by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in saying that Burlington police officers do not have the authority to enforce federal immigration law, and may not detain people on behalf of federal immigration authorities without a warrant. Read Burlington's Fair & Impartial Policing Policy hereDownload The list of 'sanctuary jurisdictions' complies with Executive Order 14287, which cites 'public safety and national security risks' and allows the federal government to cut off funding to states, counties, and municipalities on the list. It calls lack of compliance with immigration authories 'lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law'. New Hampshire bill would target sanctuary cities like Lebanon and Hanover The neighboring state of New Hampshire recently banned sanctuary cities in the state, with governor Kelly Ayotte saying, 'New Hampshire will never be a sanctuary for criminals, and we will keep working every day to remain the safest state in the nation.' Neverthless, Lebanon and Hanover in New Hampshire were specifically named on the list. Mulvaney-Stanak says she has no intention of changing the city's policies to match federal demands. 'Burlington, like other communities identified as sanctuary jurisdictions, has a proud history of welcoming immigrants and refugees to our City, and we will not back down from ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit our community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Burlington added to Department of Homeland Security's list of sanctuary jurisdictions
Burlington added to Department of Homeland Security's list of sanctuary jurisdictions Burlington has been added to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) list of sanctuary jurisdictions. The list keeps track of places referred to as "sanctuaries" for immigrants, defying federal law according to the Trump administration. According to Executive Order 14287, a sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as states, counties or cities that "obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws." The executive order was created to identify and keep track of communities allegedly defying federal immigration law by monitoring factors like "compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions and legal protections for illegal aliens." According to the executive order, each jurisdiction will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws and "renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens." Burlington mayor responds Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak released a statement May 30 addressing this inclusion of the Queen City on the list. 'The City of Burlington remains confident that our Fair and Impartial Policing Policy does not violate federal law and is in furtherance of our obligation to keep our community safe," she wrote. She said that Burlington has had a Fair and Impartial Policing policy for years, a policy that offers guidance to law enforcement officers to prevent discrimination on the basis of protected classifications and provides "explicit" clarity that the local police agency is not charged with enforcement of civil immigration law. The Burlington Police Commission has been recently considering revisions to the policy. Burlington City Council decided to deviate from the statewide policy and adopted its own policy that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities. However, that policy lapsed in 2024 and the city reverted back to the statewide standard. The police commission is in conversation to draft a new policy and send it to Vermont Criminal Justice Council by the end of June. Mulvaney-Stanak said the policy is crucial for maintaining trust between the community and Burlington Police. She said Burlington is proud to welcome immigrants and refugees to the city and will not back down from ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit the community. Where else in Vermont is considered a sanctuary jurisdiction? Burlington is joined by Montpelier and Winooski on this list. The entire state is identified on the list as a State Sanctuary Jurisdiction. No specific counties are identified. Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burlington mayor tells council to rewrite downtown business resolution
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak wrote Tuesday that she hopes the Burlington city council will work again on a resolution they passed May 19 that aims to help businesses and tourism on Church Street. The most contentious part of the resolution so far has proven to be a requirement for the nonprofit collective Food not Bombs to move its free food distribution out of the downtown parking garage. Originally, the resolution called for the distribution to move out by the middle of June. City council took out this requirement in a majority vote, and then added a less stringent requirement for the operation to submit a plan to move out by the middle of July. City Council passes resolution for downtown issues 'I fully support our locally owned small businesses, and I also fully support mutual aid for those in need,' wrote Stanak in her official statement. 'I do not believe that these two things are mutually exclusive. Burlington is a City where everyone deserves to exist with dignity.' Mulvaney-Stanak is a member of the Vermont Progressive Party. The resolution passed 8-4 in the city council on May 19, with all 7 Democrats and one Progressive in favor. Small businesses express concern about conditions in Downtown Burlington Downtown business owners and Democrats on the council have said that while they do not lack compassion, they've waited long enough. 'We need to be honest about the choices that we're making here,' said councillor Becca McKnight at the previous council meeting. 'The food distribution service is not permitted by ordinance in our garage.' In her statement, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak also criticized 'polarization and harmful escalation'. Earlier this month, business owners released an open letter calling for action relating to the conditions downtown; a fake second letter using divisive language went viral online last week. The mayor announced that her office will be hosting a public forum at the Fletcher Free Library on May 29 at 5:30 p.m. to have a 'discussion on homelessness and mental health, and we will discuss concerns related to the downtown', in advance of the next city council meeting on Monday, June 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burlington City Council drafts resolution to help businesses downtown
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Members of Burlington's City Council have created a resolution that may help downtown businesses after over 100 establishments signed a letter asking the city for aid. Last week's open letter to Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak detailed how the downtown-area is 'facing a crisis' because of safety concerns and traffic impacts, among other factors. The new resolution notes that 'our municipal revenue – specifically the gross receipts tax – is directly linked to the wellbeing of our downtown and small business community, and the underlying business revenues for this tax have decreased nearly 10% in the past year'. Officials focused on construction and traffic flow, the city's public image, police support and safety in parking areas in this resolution. The Department of Public Works has specifically been asked to provide a timeline that will reopen Main Street to one-way traffic by mid-June. Officials are also looking for DPW improvements at downtown parking garages, in collaboration with BPD. Small businesses express concern about conditions in Downtown Burlington This resolution also notes that perceptions of Burlington as unsafe are 'now widespread from Chittenden County to our own student population.' As a potential solution, council members are asking Business & Workforce Development to review funds and provide PR that paints downtown as 'vibrant and safe'. BPD has also been asked to use the Community Service Officers program to increase 'visible' safety during peak seasons. If this resolution is approved, a full coordinated report on all actions listed will be due 45 days from the approval date. This story will be updated. Tune into ABC22/FOX44 tonight or check back on for more updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First annual ‘Electrify Vermont Summit' powers up clean energy collaboration
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22 FOX44) — Vermont's electric energy leaders gathered at the University of Vermont today for the state's first ever 'Electrify Vermont Summit,' bringing together policy makers, businesses, nonprofits and researchers. The event started with demonstrations of the newest tech, including electric vehicles, e-bikes, induction cookware and electric lawn equipment. Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak led opening remarks. 'While climate change is a global challenge… we know that state and local action has an impact as well. Here in Burlington, we are committed to being a climate forward and resilient city,' said the mayor. Keynote speaker Cristina Garcia, a Program Manager of Residential Energy & Heating Electrification at Con Edison, applauded the Burlington Electric Department's efforts in both policy and technological advancement. 'As we look across the country electrification is clearly gaining momentum, more than 350 mayors have signed onto ambitious de-carbonization pledges,' she said. 'That is why events like today's summit are crucial, they bring together diverse stakeholders fostering collaboration and building partnerships that are essential for driving the energy transition forward.' Garcia and other speakers also noted areas of improvement in affordability, creating incentives and tackling aging infrastructure. Panelists, speaking well into Monday afternoon, celebrated the continual growth of electrification but also addressed challenges with tariffs, federal funding and silos within the industry. Many of Monday's speakers also reflected on a growing need for cross-industry relationships— some even calling their peers to action. Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak ended her own speech by saying she hoped to see 'sparks fly' between industry leaders. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
