North Carolina city declares itself a Fourth Amendment Workplace in response to ICE raids

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, Durham City Council passed a resolution to make the North Carolina city a “Fourth Amendment Workplace,” increasing protections for city workers against U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and arrests.The Fourth Amendment protects citizens against arbitrary searches and arrests and serves as the basis of search warrants with a probable cause of crime.

The resolution directs city staff to “uphold the 4th amendment at their workplace and city agencies and report back to Council any barriers to effective training on the 4th Amendment for any departments.”The resolution says the city has “historically pursued equity and safety for all residents” and the trust of Durhamites is essential to the city carrying out its operations.It says the threat of “unconstitutional seizure” has prevented immigrants in Durham from “safely engaging in public life, including pursuing employment and education.”The move comes less than two months after four ICE agents appeared at the Durham County Courthouse to detain an undocumented individual charged with felony.

The officers donning plain clothes did not arrest anyone, but their presence sounded alarms among Durham residents and council members alike.“Our residents witnessed ICE agents in our community, instilling widespread fear and uncertainty,” Mayor of Durham Leo Williams said of the event.“While local leaders cannot legally override the federal government’s use and weaponization of ICE, we can and must stand in strategic solidarity with our neighbors.” That same day, Durhamites organized a peaceful demonstration and march from the Durham County Courthouse against immigration enforcement.The Fourth Amendment Workplace resolution was introduced by council member Javiera Caballero and supported by Siembra NC, an organization that supports Latino immigrant workers across North Carolina.

Notably, Siembra NC also organized the rally for Duke bus driver Luis Alonso Juáre...