Durham, NC, Takes ‘Sanctuary City’ to the Next Level, Makes Move to Protect Illegal Aliens

Durham, North Carolina, has officially declared itself a “Fourth Amendment Workplace” after city leaders approved a measure aimed at restricting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and increasing protections for illegal immigrant workers.

The Durham City Council unanimously passed the resolution on Tuesday, according to The Duke Chronicle.

🚨 A North Carolina city declared itself a “Fourth Amendment Workplace,” aiming to shield undocumented immigrants from ICE workplace raids.

It requires warrants before allowing federal immigration agents access. pic.twitter.com/j68E0PR6pM

— The World Report (@World_Report0) September 6, 2025

The measure directs city staff to “uphold the 4th Amendment at their workplace and city agencies and report back to Council any barriers to effective training on the 4th Amendment for any departments.”

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants supported by probable cause before an arrest or property seizure can take place.

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Durham’s resolution states that the city has “historically pursued equity and safety for all residents,” and that trust between residents and local government is essential for city operations.

The measure emphasizes that fear of “unconstitutional seizure” has prevented migrants in the city from “safely engaging in public life, including pursuing employment and education.”

The action comes weeks after an incident at the Durham County Courthouse in July, when four plainclothes ICE agents arrived to detain an illegal immigrant who faced a felony domestic violence charge.

The individual never appeared for his scheduled court hearing, and no arrests were made, according to WRAL.

“Our residents witnessed ICE agents in our community, instilling widespread fear and uncertainty,” Durham Mayor Leo Williams said after the incident.

“While local leaders cannot legally override the federal government’s use and weaponization of ICE, we can and must stand in strategic solidarity with our neighbors.”

That same day, residents organized a demonstration outside the courthouse to protest ICE’s presence.

Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair Nida Allam participated in the protest, saying, “This is a direct threat to the safety and dignity of our communities. The Courthouse should be a place where people can seek justice, not where they’re hunted down by federal agents.”

During Tuesday’s council meeting, migrants and their families voiced support for the resolution, citing daily fears of enforcement actions.

Local activists and residents urged the council to expand training for city employees to enforce the new policy.

Elise Ballan, chair of the Durham Workers’ Rights Commission, argued that the resolution was necessary to counter what she described as the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures.

“Durham celebrates a rich diversity of residents, and we understand that the Trump administration’s mass deportation targets a completely manufactured panic surrounding immigrants, puts anyone who does not appear White, anyone who does not speak English or has an accent, anyone regardless of papers or immigration status, at risk of abuse, abduction and even deportation to [a] country they have no ties to,” Ballan said.

Durham is the second city in North Carolina to adopt such a policy, following Carrboro, which passed a similar “Fourth Amendment Workplace” measure in May.

Earlier this year, ICE conducted operations in Durham, arresting 11 individuals living illegally in the United States.

The arrests raised concerns among some residents about the safety of their families.

In April, the federal government accused Durham of functioning as a “sanctuary” city for allegedly refusing to cooperate with ICE.

Durham officials rejected the claim, stating the label had “no legal or factual basis.”

The resolution also comes against the backdrop of a statewide political battle over immigration enforcement.

In 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly overrode a veto by Democrat Gov. Josh Stein to enact a law requiring sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Despite the state mandate, Durham leaders have maintained their opposition to cooperation with ICE.

Mayor Pro Tempore Mark Anthony Middleton reiterated that position at a candidate forum earlier this week, saying he would “never back collaboration” between Durham police and ICE, according to The Chronicle.

The new resolution reinforces Durham’s stance on immigration enforcement, setting up continued conflict between city officials, state lawmakers, and federal authorities.