Burlington (Chittenden County) has formalized its resistance to ICE enforcement through an executive order, city council resolution, and longstanding police policy.

Executive Order (February 17, 2026)

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak signed an executive order establishing citywide protocols:

• Updated local emergency management plan
• Clarified emergency operations procedures
• Updated citywide alert systems and rapid response tools
• Directed departments to identify community resources for affected residents
• Explicitly stated: Burlington Police “will not engage or assist with civil immigration enforcement”
• City “resources, personnel, property and data will not be used to support civil federal immigration enforcement”

Police Department Policy

Burlington PD has operated under a Fair and Impartial Policing (FIP) policy since 2010:

• Prohibits enforcement decisions based on race, gender, religion, or immigration status
• Predates the Trump-era enforcement surge by over a decade
• Provides legal foundation for non-cooperation

City Council: “ICE Out of Burlington” Resolution

The Burlington City Council introduced a resolution formally opposing:

• ICE enforcement actions in Burlington and across the state
• Use of city or state facilities for ICE operations
• “Warrantless surveillance” of residents

DHS Response

In May 2025, the Department of Homeland Security placed Vermont sanctuary jurisdictions on a list. Vermont jurisdictions responded publicly, stating their policies comply with federal law.

Connection to South Burlington Raid

The March 2026 South Burlington ICE raid (just across the city line) tested these policies. The mayor issued a formal statement the next day opposing the enforcement action.

Sources:

• VTDigger — Burlington mayor signs executive order outlining local ICE protocols
• Burlington, VT — Status of ICE Operations
• VTDigger — Vermont sanctuary jurisdictions respond to Homeland Security list
• Seven Days — Feds Target Vermont’s ‘Sanctuary Jurisdictions’