Durham designates itself ‘Fourth Amendment Workplace’ as result of ICE activity

The Durham City Council adopted a resolution in a unanimous decision this week to formally designate the city as a "Fourth Amendment Workplace" to solidify the rights of city employees after rising fears within immigrant communities.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were at the Durham County Courthouse this summer looking to detain an undocumented individual who was charged with a felony. There wasn't an arrest made but the incident put other illegal immigrants in the area on alert.

The designation emphasizes the constitutional protection against unlawful searches and seizures.

According to AP News, city agencies are expected to uphold Fourth Amendment rights in the workplace under the resolution and report training hurdles they face back to the City Council. 

"While local leaders cannot legally override the federal government’s use of ICE, we can—and must—stand in strategic solidarity with our neighbors," said Mayor Leo Williams, describing the resolution as critical.