Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed a new bill into law, expanding protections for illegal immigrants in the state. The bill, which was passed by the state legislature last week, bars new agreements allowing state and local officials to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions.
Protections Expanded
The bill expands protections against warrantless civil immigration arrests to courthouses, public schools, child care centers, and healthcare facilities. It also codifies the Supreme Judicial Court’s 2017 Lunn v. Commonwealth decision, which held that there is no authority for Massachusetts court officers to arrest and hold an individual solely on the basis of a federal civil immigration detainer.
Healey said the bill was a response to the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which she said has become violent and frequently disregards the law. The bill was signed into law at a ceremony in Chelsea, where Healey was joined by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Education Secretary Steven Zrike, and other officials.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
