Waltham officials issued statements of support and protection to Waltham parents on Feb. 9 at a monthly workshop for Waltham schools’ Latino parents, according to a Feb. 10 Waltham Patch article.

The Waltham city leaders, including Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, Police Captain Kevin O’Connell and City Council President Diane LeBlanc, spoke in solidarity to put community members at ease in the aftermath of federal executive orders on immigration and travel bans, reported the Waltham Patch.

McCarthy released a statement of support the previous week, saying that local law enforcement does not govern federal immigration laws. However, the officials met with the community in response to a circulating petition by advocacy group Progressive Waltham, which requested that Waltham officials “issue a joint declaration supporting the refugees and immigrants,” reported the Waltham Patch.

Some advocates have also suggested that Waltham become a sanctuary city, according to the Patch. According to a Jan. 25 Boston Magazine article, the sanctuary cities in Massachusetts are Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Springfield, Holyoke, Lawrence, Northampton, Amherst and Hampden County.

“We never want our children in Waltham to be afraid. This is a secure community, this is a welcoming community,” said LeBlanc at the meeting, reported Waltham Newswatch.

O’Connell added, “I want all of you to feel very comfortable when you’re dealing with the Waltham police. We’re here to help you, all citizens. We don’t enforce federal law, we enforce local state law and city ordinances.”

State representative Tom Stanley, Immigration Attorney Victor Maldonado and city councillors also spoke and gave their support at the meeting.

—Michelle Dang