Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak Signs Executive Order Affirming Burlington’s Preparedness, Due Process, and Community Trust
Amid Federal Immigration Enforcement Concerns
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Mayor of Burlington, signed Executive Order 2026-1, establishing clear citywide protocols for preparedness, transparency, and constitutional policing should there be escalations in federal immigration enforcement activity.
The Executive Order, titled “Affirming Our Commitment to Preparedness, Due Process, and Community Trust: City of Burlington Response to Federal Immigration Enforcement Activity,” outlines proactive measures the City will take to ensure community safety while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws.
“Careful preparation is essential to maintaining community trust,” Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak said during a press conference at City Hall. “When residents know their city has clear plans, transparent policies, and defined roles, they can feel confident that Burlington will respond thoughtfully, lawfully and in ways that reflect our values. This Executive Order ensures that if circumstances change, we will do everything within our authority to keep our community safe.”
Preparedness and Emergency Planning
The Order directs the City to review and strengthen its Local Emergency Management Plan to prepare for any escalated federal immigration enforcement activity that could impact community safety. Specific actions include:
- Clarifying procedures for activating an Emergency Operations Center;
- Reviewing first responder roles and resources;
- Updating citywide emergency alert systems;
- Creating rapid communication systems to coordinate with neighboring municipalities, school districts, and community partners; and
- Developing comprehensive internal and external communications plans to ensure timely, multilingual, and accessible information sharing.
The administration will also redistribute and train all City employees and contractors on Burlington’s Federal Presence in City Buildings policy to ensure staff understand how to lawfully respond if federal agents enter City facilities.
The Order further directs departments to coordinate with community organizations to identify services and supports for individuals and families affected by federal immigration enforcement actions.
Clarifying the Role of the Burlington Police Department
The Executive Order reaffirms that the Burlington Police Department (BPD) remains a locally controlled law enforcement agency focused on community safety.
Consistent with Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, BPD will not engage in or assist with civil immigration enforcement. The Order explicitly states that no City resources, personnel, property, or data will be used to support civil federal immigration enforcement.
The Order also requires that, if federal immigration enforcement activity escalates in Burlington, BPD leadership must respond to the scene in a lawful and non-interfering manner to document events, preserve evidence, and ensure emergency medical care is provided if anyone is injured. Credible reports of unlawful conduct by federal agents will be documented, preserved, and referred appropriately, with aggregated data shared publicly to the extent permitted by law.
“These measures strengthen transparency and local oversight,” the Mayor said. “Our residents must be able to clearly distinguish between local officers and federal agents, and they must know that Burlington maintains professional, constitutional, and community-based policing standards.”
Affirming Community Values
In her remarks, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak thanked City department heads, emergency management staff, Police Chief Shawn Burke, Fire Chief Michael Curtin, Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Director Kelli Perkins, City Attorney Jessica Brown, HR Director Lynn Reagan, local school and municipal leaders, and community partners for months of coordination and preparedness work that began in late 2024.
She also acknowledged Governor Phil Scott and Attorney General Charity Clark for their public leadership at the state level.
“There is no indication at this time that federal immigration enforcement activity is increasing in Burlington,” the Mayor emphasized. “But Vermonters have seen how quickly situations can escalate in other communities across the country. Preparation protects public safety and community trust.”
The Executive Order takes effect immediately. City departments are directed to implement its requirements within seven days in coordination with the Mayor’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office.
“Burlington has always met challenging moments by standing together,” Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak concluded. “Stay steady, Burlington. We are prepared.”
2.17.2026. Burlington
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