Providence Council Strengthens Community-Police Relations Act

Diverse community gathering in support of immigrant rights

News Summary

The Providence City Council has unanimously approved revisions to the Community-Police Relations Act, enhancing regulations on police interactions with ICE. The ordinance, co-sponsored by Councilor Miguel Sanchez, aims to protect immigrants’ rights and establishes safe spaces from federal actions. Additionally, it allows civil rights lawsuits against the city for police misconduct. The approval reflects strong community support and ensures the city remains a welcoming environment for immigrants, amidst concerns about police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Providence, Rhode Island – On October 16, 2025, the Providence City Council unanimously approved the first in a series of revisions to the Community-Police Relations Act, aimed at strengthening regulations on police interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This measure received overwhelming support, with 13 out of 14 council members backing the ordinance, reflecting the city’s commitment to being a welcoming community for immigrants.

The ordinance has been co-sponsored by Councilor Miguel Sanchez, who highlighted the importance of the immigrant community to the city’s identity, emphasizing their right to safety and dignity. The council’s decision follows growing public interest, as residents have vocally requested assurances that the Providence police will not assist ICE in their enforcement actions.

The current law, enacted in 2017 by former Mayor Jorge Elorza, restricts police assistance to federal immigration enforcement unless there is a criminal warrant for an individual in custody. However, recent events, such as an ICE arrest on Alverson Avenue in July where Providence police were observed providing perimeter control for federal agents, raised concerns about compliance with the existing policy.

Details of the Revised Ordinance

The revised ordinance takes a firmer stance, prohibiting police from complying with any requests from federal agencies unless supported by a judicial warrant. Additional protections include designating schools, places of worship, health facilities, and courts as safe spaces from federal immigration action unless a judge-approved warrant or a national security threat is involved.

A noted but controversial change in the ordinance allows community organizations the ability to sue officers for potential violations. This provision was amended to specify that legal actions can only be taken against the city collectively for civil rights breaches and not for monetary damages. This adjustment comes after concerns were raised by the mayor regarding the possibility of frivolous lawsuits.

Political Responses and Future Actions

The Mayor of Providence, Brett Smiley, endorsed the council’s revisions, noting the importance of balancing immigrant protection with the city’s economic safety. Councilman John Goncalves expressed fears of authoritarianism, emphasizing the need for local resistance to what he perceives as federal overreach and a show of fascism.

Upcoming discussions have also highlighted limitations in the city’s capacity to protect undocumented immigrants while continuing to advocate against ICE cooperation. Other proposed revisions would prevent the use of data from the police’s Real Time Crime Center for immigration enforcement and limit data sharing from license plate-reading technology.

This series of changes reflect the strong community discontent regarding police cooperation with ICE, particularly following a July raid in the Hartford neighborhood that prompted accusations of police assisting ICE. This assistance was substantiated by the Providence External Review Authority.

Despite the criticisms aimed at policing practices, Councilwoman Althea Graves cautioned against unfairly villainizing police officers, stressing the need for Fairness while ensuring community safety. The overall aim of the ordinance is to restore trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities by establishing clear rules regarding immigration and policing matters.

Next Steps

The second vote on the proposed revisions is anticipated for November 6, 2025. As the city moves forward, the council aims to solidify these policies and work towards a more inclusive environment for all residents.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Providence City Council Advances Police Cooperation Limitation Proposal
Providence Upholds Immigrant Protections Amid Federal Pressure

Additional Resources

STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER

The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.

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