HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-10-LHRC-min-att1.pdfTown of Lexington
Lexington Human Rights Committee
Christina Lin, Chair
humanrightscmte@lexingtonma.gov,
4lhrcchair@gmail.com
Select Board, Town of Lexington
Selectboard@lexingtonma.gov
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
September 11, 2025
Dear Select Board Members,
At yesterday’s Lexington Human Rights Committee meeting, the Immigration Working
Group presented a recommendation that the Select Board reaffirm and ensure the full
implementation of the 2018 Safe Communities Act resolution (2018 Article 34, Welcoming,
Inclusive and Safe Community) which passed at Town Meeting by a vote of 153-5-2.
I am writing to share that the Lexington Human Rights Committee supports the
recommendation and voted unanimously to bring it to the Select Board for consideration.
We believe this is a critical moment to reaffirm our Town’s commitment to a safe and
welcoming community because recent federal immigration enforcement actions have
escalated fears and tensions in the general public. In Lexington, with a significant immigrant
and second generation immigrant population, these fears have a pronounced impact on our
community that may negatively affect health and safety for our residents. A reluctance to call
police and fire, seek medical care, and sending children to school is already happening in
surrounding communities.
Reaffirming the resolution is an important opportunity to communicate that the Town of
Lexington prioritizes and is dedicated to ensuring that local policing and emergency first
responders are centered on the safety of those who live and work in, and visit our Town.
Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that measures in the resolution are being followed
and enforced.
We are seeking an opportunity to present this request at the earliest possible upcoming
Select Board meeting, given our concerns around recent federal announcements about
imminent actions in MA. I look forward to working with the Chair and Town Manager to
identify a suitable date to present our request.
On behalf of the Lexington Human Rights Committee, thank you kindly
Christina Lin
Town of Lexington - Human Rights Committee, Chair