Buffalo draws a bright line today. Mayor Sean Ryan has signed an executive order that reshapes how the city handles civil immigration enforcement. I obtained the order minutes before it was released. It is effective immediately. The message is direct. Buffalo will not be a partner in civil immigration cases.
What the order does
The order bars city employees from helping with civil immigration enforcement. It also limits contact with federal immigration officers on civil matters. Civil cases usually involve status checks, visa issues, or deportation actions. They do not involve crimes.
Here is the core rule. City staff cannot use city time or resources for a federal civil job. That includes City Hall, police, fire, public works, and 911.
Under the order, city workers may not:
- Detain anyone on a civil immigration request that lacks a judge’s warrant
- Share nonpublic personal data for civil immigration purposes
- Allow access to nonpublic city spaces without a judge’s warrant
- Ask about immigration status unless required by state or federal law
The text also directs agencies to update training, records policies, and public guidance. That work must start today.
What the order does not do
This is not a shield for crime. City police will still work with federal partners on criminal cases. That includes arrests, warrants signed by judges, and joint operations that target crimes.
It does not stop federal agents from doing their own work in Buffalo. The city cannot block federal law. It can decide how local staff use local time and tools.
It does not create legal status or give anyone new paperwork. It simply defines city roles and limits.
If a federal agent has a judicial warrant, city staff will honor it. The order does not change that duty.
How City Hall changes today
Everyday operations will look different in small but key ways. Police and fire will not ask immigration status at calls unless it is needed for a specific lawful purpose. 911 will handle emergencies without status questions. City clinics and shelters will do the same.
Public records teams will add checks for civil immigration requests. If a request is not required by law, they will decline it. If federal agents appear at a city office without a judge’s warrant, staff will ask them to wait in a public area and refer them to legal counsel.
Managers must brief staff this week. Training materials and scripts will be updated within 30 days. City lawyers will create a warrant guide that fits this order. Supervisors will log any federal contacts to ensure compliance.
The legal footing, and the risks
The order relies on a simple rule in our system. Washington cannot force local governments to carry out federal programs. Courts have said that many times. City leaders call this the anti commandeering principle. In plain terms, Buffalo can choose not to spend local time on civil immigration work.
There are limits. The city cannot obstruct federal officers. It also cannot adopt rules that clash with clear federal commands. The line between not helping and blocking can be tested in court.
Federal officials or state lawmakers may push back. They could ask a judge to review the policy. They could also try to tie funding to cooperation. The city attorney says departments must follow state and federal law first. The order repeats that point.
Buffalo is setting policy on local use of local staff. It is not making immigration law. Only Congress can do that.
What this means for residents
For many families, the change is about trust. People can call 911, see a firefighter, or visit a clinic, without fear that a civil status issue will be raised. That helps witnesses and victims come forward. It also helps first responders do their jobs.
Your rights do not change today. They are already in the Constitution. You still have the right to remain silent. You can refuse consent to a search of your home. You can ask to see a judicial warrant.
Ask to see a warrant signed by a judge before anyone enters nonpublic areas. You can read it and take a photo.
If you are unsure, ask for a supervisor or a city attorney contact. The order requires agencies to post that contact info.
What Buffalo is signaling
This policy puts Buffalo in the group of cities that limit civil immigration help. Supporters say this builds safety and trust. Critics argue it invites confusion and harms enforcement. The order seeks a middle path. It keeps criminal cooperation intact. It draws a bright line around civil work.
City leaders also promise more data. The order calls for a public report on federal requests and city responses. That report will arrive twice a year. It should show how the policy works in practice.
What happens next
The order takes effect now. Departments will issue internal memos today. Full training and updates will follow within 30 days. The Council is planning an oversight hearing to review early impacts.
Buffalo has made a clear choice about its role in immigration. Federal agents can do their jobs. City workers will focus on city work. The courts may weigh in. For now, the line is drawn, and the city is moving. ⚖️
