Council questions manager, chief on ICE executive order

Select Board · Meeting of June 8, 2026

Amherst's Town Council, CSSJC and Human Rights Commission questioned the town manager and police chief on the ICE executive order. Town Manager Paul Backelman said the March 3 order is under review with the town attorney after new guidance from the governor on May 28. Police Chief Gabe Ting said officers will "observe, document" and report possible crimes by federal agents but will not make physical arrests, citing obstruction risk.

He said the department has no body-worn cameras and has put three officers and one supervisor on the road per shift. CSSJC then told the council that $450,000 of an earmarked youth center fund sits in free cash. Backelman said $50,000 paid for evaluating buildings.

The council adjourned 11-0.

In the full story:

• Meeting structure and public comment
• Manager's opening and the policy question
• Jurisdiction, prosecution and enforcement
• Training, crowds, schools and checkpoints
• Further questions
• CSSJC presentation on working group recommendations
• Council response
• Scheduling and adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,912 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of June 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.