Executive Orders

Mayor Wilson Signs Executive Order 2026-01: Upholding the rights and safety of Somerville residents amid unconstitutional federal actions

• Announcement
• Read the Executive Order 

On February 6th, 2026, Mayor Jake Wilson signed an Executive Order to uphold the rights and safety of Somerville residents amid unconstitutional federal actions.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

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What does this Executive Order do?

This Executive Order prohibits City-owned buildings, parks, parking lots, and any interior or exterior portion thereof—to be used as a staging area, processing location, operations base, or any similar purpose in furtherance of civil immigration enforcement operations. It also makes template signage available to private property owners and leaseholders who seek to restrict private spaces from being used for civil immigration enforcement purposes.

Can private property owners and businesses also participate?

Yes. While the order applies directly to City properties, private property owners and business owners may voluntarily participate in this initiative to uphold the rights and safety of Somerville residents by displaying signs designed for their property.

What does posting a sign mean for my business?

Private property owners and businesses have the right to limit access to their space. By posting a sign on your property you indicate that you do not consent to your property being used for civil immigration enforcement (such as staging, processing, or operations). Posting such a sign does not change the laws that impact your property; you are simply exercising your right to set conditions for use of your private space.

Does this Order affect lawful warrants or criminal investigations?

No. This Executive Order does not limit or restrict the execution of lawful judicial warrants or legitimate criminal investigations. It applies only to civil immigration enforcement.

Does this mean ICE can’t come into my business?

Not necessarily. The sign does not prevent federal agents from entering a business if they have a valid judicial warrant or are acting under lawful authority. However, you are not required to consent to access for civil immigration enforcement.

Is it legal to post this kind of sign?

Yes. Business and property owners have the right to set conditions on how their property is used and to express solidarity with City initiatives. The sign does not violate any federal or state law.

What should I do if ICE agents come to my business or property?

If approached by federal agents: Stay calm. Ask to see a judicial warrant signed by a judge (an ICE administrative warrant does not grant authority to enter). You do not need to consent to entry or use of your property unless a judicial warrant is presented. Call 911 if federal agents unlawfully enter your private property.

What if someone is causing a disturbance in my business?

Whether a federal officer or any member of the public, as the property owner or leaseholder, you have the right to refuse admission or entry to your property, and that includes asking someone to leave if they are causing a disturbance to others in the space.

The Somerville Police Department can support staff in diffusing these situations. Please call 911 if you or a member of the staff or public feels threatened.

How do I get a sign?

Two template versions of private property signs are provided here for your use. One that is focused on asserting rights to prohibit use of private property for civil immigration enforcement and another that is broadly worded. Signs are always placed at the business and property owners’ discretion.

Where can I print these template signs?

Each template is set up to print on an 8.5 x 11 sheet and are double sided with a disclaimer on the back. The “staff only” signs are designed to be smaller and the template includes two signs on one page. If you don’t have a printer, the Somerville Public Library is a resource. Constituents with a library card from Somerville or any library in the Minuteman Library Network can print at the library. Somerville Libraries offer $3.00 of free printing (20 black & white pages or 10 color pages) per day. All additional print jobs can be paid for in cash at the Reference Desk.

Fabville, Somerville’s community makerspace, can also support you if you would like to make signs on your own in another material. Somerville also has several small business print shops that can assist with producing custom signs.

Private Property Templates

• Version 1 PNG: “Private Property – No Trespassing - You Do Not Have Consent to Enter for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes”
• Version 1 PDF: “Private Property – No Trespassing - You Do Not Have Consent to Enter for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes”
• Version 2 PNG: “Private Property – No Trespassing”
• Version 2 PDF: "Private Property - No Trespassing""

These signs should be placed near entries to private property. For example, the entrance to a multi- family building lobby or the door of a house.

Business Entry Template

• Version 1 PNG: “Patrons & Staff Only - You Do Not Have Consent to Enter for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes”
• Version 1 PDF: “Patrons & Staff Only - You Do Not Have Consent to Enter for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes”
• Version 2 PNG: “Patrons & Staff Only - We reserve the right to refuse admission/entry”
• Version 2 PDF: “Patrons & Staff Only - We reserve the right to refuse admission/entry”

These signs are meant for businesses and should be placed where clients and patrons are expected to enter.

Business Interior Template

• Version 1 PNG: “Staff Only”
• Version 1 PDF - "Staff Only" 

These signs should be placed at interior doors that divide the public portion of a business from the private areas.