City of Utica and Utica Police Department Announce New Immigration Policy Developed in Collaboration with Key Partners

Utica, NY — The Utica Police Department has formally adopted a comprehensive immigration policy that strengthens community trust, provides clear guidance for officers, and ensures equal service and protection for all residents regardless of national origin or immigration status.

The policy was developed with input and guidance from:

• The Center
• The New York State Attorney General’s Office
• Federal Immigration Control & Enforcement

Key Highlights of the Policy

• Officers will not stop, detain, or arrest anyone based solely on immigration status or a civil immigration violation.
• Immigration status will not be inquired about when providing police services unless required by law or directly necessary to investigate criminal activity.
• Individuals in police custody will be treated equally under all booking, processing, and release procedures.
• Victims and witnesses of crimes are encouraged to come forward without fear that contacting police will automatically trigger immigration inquiries.
• The policy provides clear pathways for victims of certain crimes and human trafficking to seek protections under U and T visas, with direct assistance from the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

 “This policy provides clear guidance and an explanation of how we will proceed when faced with situations involving immigration enforcement,” said Mayor Michael P. Galime. “My conversation started with a call to the Center and grew into a larger effort to provide clarity and definitive guidance that both our public safety departments and the public can understand. My hope is that this guidance provides clarity to those who call Utica home, on how immigration policy works in our city.

The Utica Police Department emphasized that this policy will serve as a tool to both protect public safety and build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the diverse communities it serves. Training for all officers on the new policy will be implemented immediately.