By Tiffany Williams –
CHELSEA, Mass. — Governor Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act into law Wednesday during a ceremony at La Colaborativa in Chelsea, establishing sweeping new protections for immigrants across Massachusetts and sharply limiting where federal civil immigration enforcement can take place.
Healey was joined by immigrants, advocates, community leaders, law enforcement officials, teachers, nurses, doctors, clergy and elected officials as she signed the legislation.
The new law prohibits warrantless civil immigration arrests at courthouses, schools, child care centers, hospitals and other health care facilities. It also strengthens protections for parents who may be detained or deported, bars state agencies from entering into new 287(g) agreements, and creates a state civil rights claim against government officials, including federal immigration agents, who violate constitutional rights.
“Today, Massachusetts is standing up for what’s right and taking action to keep our people and our communities safe,” said Governor Healey. “The PROTECT Act is the strongest law in the country to protect people from ICE, because no one should be afraid to send their child to school, seek medical care or fear reporting a crime or appearing in court. It makes us all less safe. So we are getting ICE out of our courthouses, schools and hospitals. This bill is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of so many people across our state. We’re going to keep working together to make Massachusetts and this country the place we all want it to be.”
The PROTECT Act includes several provisions first proposed by Healey earlier this year.
Under the law, civil immigration arrests without a judicial warrant are prohibited at sensitive locations that include state courthouses, public and private schools, early education and child care centers, hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes and other health care settings.
The measure also allows parents to arrange guardianship for their children in advance if they are detained or deported.
Healey and supporters of the law said the provision is intended to reduce the risk of children being left without a designated caregiver following an immigration enforcement action.
The law also codifies parts of an executive order previously signed by Healey.
That order limits civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state buildings, requires state agencies to provide multilingual guidance on immigration enforcement procedures and individual rights, and prohibits new 287(g) agreements involving state agencies unless certain conditions are met.
Those agreements allow state and local law enforcement agencies to carry out some federal immigration enforcement functions under agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The PROTECT Act also establishes new limits on state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement.
It creates new oversight, reporting and notification requirements for correctional facilities, employers and state agencies.
The law also strengthens protections for victims of crime who are seeking immigration relief.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said the legislation is intended to protect public safety, access to health care and education, and the rights of immigrant families.
“This bill is about standing up for our immigrant communities, standing up for public safety, education and health care, and standing up for people’s rights and freedoms,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re grateful to our legislative partners and the many advocates who worked alongside us to strengthen public safety, protect families and reinforce trust between our communities and law enforcement.”
The administration argued that fear of immigration enforcement can prevent people from reporting crimes, appearing in court, seeking medical care or sending their children to school.
Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon said trust between law enforcement agencies and the public is essential to protecting victims and investigating crimes.
“Strong public safety requires strong partnerships with the communities we serve,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “The PROTECT Act helps preserve the trust that law enforcement, prosecutors and community organizations rely on to protect victims, investigate crimes and keep neighborhoods safe. When people feel safe, our Commonwealth is stronger.”
Education Secretary Steve Zrike said students need to feel safe in schools and early education programs to learn and succeed.
“As a superintendent and teacher, I’ve seen how deeply a child’s sense of safety and belonging shapes their ability to learn,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “The PROTECT Act helps ensure that early education programs and K-12 schools remain welcoming places where every child can feel safe, build confidence, and thrive. That sense of belonging is essential to educational opportunity and to the strength of our communities.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said fear of immigration enforcement can also interfere with the relationship between patients and medical providers.
“In my work as a clinician, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to maintain a safe, healing environment in our hospitals,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “Keeping ICE out of hospitals, as well as our courthouses and schools means we also keep fear out of these places. I am grateful to Governor Healey for her continued leadership protecting our immigrant communities from the cruel acts of the Trump Administration.”
The law also allows people to bring civil rights claims under state law against government officials who allegedly violate federal constitutional protections.
That provision applies to government officials, including ICE agents.
Supporters said the measure creates an additional path for accountability when individuals believe their rights have been violated during immigration enforcement actions.
Senate President Karen Spilka described the law as one of the strongest state-level responses to federal immigration enforcement policies.
“With the Governor’s signature today, Massachusetts residents will have the strongest protections from President Trump’s weaponization of federal immigration authorities in the nation,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “The abuses and infringements on constitutional rights we have seen in this country are reprehensible and un-American. This law is the culmination of our efforts to do everything in our state’s power to protect hardworking residents who have done nothing wrong and who contribute to the vibrancy of this state. I applaud Senator Friedman and Senator Payano for their work to reach this strong agreement, and I applaud the Governor’s signature on this bill.”
House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the law is intended to protect communities while maintaining public safety and equal treatment under state law.
He said increased immigration enforcement has created fear among immigrant families traveling to work, school and other essential locations.
Mariano also credited House lawmakers, the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, legislative leaders and community advocates for helping shape the final measure.
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said the law responds to enforcement tactics that she said have spread fear without improving public safety.
“The PROTECT Act strengthens protections for our residents in the face of the aggressive tactics employed by ICE – tactics that do not enhance public safety and instead spread fear among families and our communities,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Legislature for enacting these critical protections into law. Immigrants are an essential part of our communities, workplaces, and economy, and we will continue to use every tool available to defend their rights.”
Healey has taken several other steps related to immigration enforcement during her second term.
When she first filed the legislation, she signed an executive order preventing the state from entering into new 287(g) agreements unless a public safety need is identified.
The order also prohibited civil immigration arrests in nonpublic areas of state facilities and barred the use of state property as a staging location for immigration enforcement operations.
Her administration issued guidance for schools, child care providers, colleges, universities, health care facilities and houses of worship on responding to interactions with federal immigration agents.
Healey and Campbell also launched an online portal allowing Massachusetts residents to report alleged misconduct involving ICE.
The governor has opposed immigration enforcement flights at Hanscom Field, called for the continuation of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and other immigrant groups, and opposed the creation of new ICE detention centers in New England.
The administration said it has also connected thousands of immigrants with legal services and distributed multilingual information for families, employers and communities.
Several district attorneys supported the measure, saying courthouse enforcement can prevent victims, witnesses and defendants from participating in the justice system.
Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said courthouses should remain accessible to people involved in criminal cases without fear of civil immigration arrest.
“I fully support the PROTECT Act. Courthouses should be sanctuaries of safety for all who enter them. When ICE accesses courthouses it interferes with justice. Victims of crimes have the right to see justice on their behalf without the risk of themselves being apprehended and criminalized themselves. On the other hand, perpetrators of crime must face the consequences of their actions in a court of law. When ICE deports perpetrators before their day in court it not only absolves them of their actions without ever taking responsibility for their crimes but also allows them to exit the United States without a criminal record. Supporting the PROTECT Act not only provides protections for victims of crimes but also ensure perpetrators of crime are held responsible for their actions.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said Massachusetts is again asserting a role in protecting individual liberty.
“It is fitting that Massachusetts, the state that launched the American liberty movement, is now moving forward with an act that protects the liberty of its residents, particularly those in our immigrant communities, while balancing public safety and victim rights. Our state sent a resounding message about liberty 250 years ago and we’re doing it again today.”
Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said immigration activity around courthouses has made it more difficult for victims, witnesses and defendants to access the legal system.
She said the law provides greater clarity while protecting individual rights and reducing the risk of confrontations near public buildings.
Lawmakers who helped advance the legislation said it was developed through months of meetings with immigrant families, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, educators and advocates.
Senator Cindy Friedman said the final legislation reflects cooperation among the Legislature, the Attorney General’s Office, community organizations and state officials.
Senator Pavel Payano said the measure protects families who might otherwise avoid schools, hospitals or courthouses because of immigration enforcement fears.
“The passage of the PROTECT Act reaffirms Massachusetts’ commitment to fairness, due process, and human dignity. No family should have to choose between taking a child to school, seeking medical care, or appearing in court because they are afraid. As someone who as a child immigrated from the Dominican Republic, I understand the importance of living in a state that honors the promise that hard work and contributing to your community should open doors, not close them. Today, we reaffirm that Massachusetts will continue to be a place where opportunity is built through hard work and where fear should never stand in the way of a brighter future.”
The signing ceremony took place in Chelsea, a city with a large immigrant population and a long history of community organizing around immigration, labor and public health.
Senator Sal DiDomenico, who represents Chelsea, said the location reflected the communities that helped push for the legislation.
Representative Andy Vargas, chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, said the law was shaped by more than 18 months of conversations with affected families, advocates, police chiefs and district attorneys.
“The PROTECT Act is the culmination of over 18 months of speaking to impacted families, advocates, and law enforcement, including Chiefs of Police and DAs. The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus wrote a bill that had bipartisan support and was constitutionally sound. That bill has found allies in every room across the State House. I would like to thank Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka and Governor Healey for their steadfast leadership in getting this done,” said Representative Andy Vargas of Haverhill. “Immigrants are the pillar of our country and Massachusetts will not allow our resources to drive them out. This law has earned praise from constituents, advocates, police chiefs and district attorneys alike. The PROTECT Act is the result of sound policymaking that is rooted in humanity, public safety, and common sense.”
Representative Judith Garcia said Chelsea was a fitting location for the bill signing because many families there have experienced fear connected to immigration enforcement.
Gladys Vega, president and chief executive officer of La Colaborativa, said the organization supported the law because it reflects its work helping immigrant families access education, health care, courts and public services.
“For decades, our organization has worked to ensure that immigrant families are treated with dignity and respect. After years of witnessing workers deprived of employment, families residing in fear, and children missing school because of immigration enforcement, the passage of this historic law is a testament to our Commonwealth’s commitment to upholding human rights and dignity for all. From the very beginning, La Colaborativa proudly supported the PROTECT Act because its purpose reflects the work we do every day: protecting families and ensuring that every person can go to school, seek medical care, report a crime, access the courts, and practice their faith without fear. We are proud to stand alongside this historic law and everyone who made it possible. For communities like ours that have experienced the devastating impact of immigration enforcement, this is a powerful step toward ensuring our families are safer, protected, and heard.”
Labor groups, teachers unions, health care organizations, legal services providers, faith leaders and immigrant advocacy organizations also praised the law.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association said the measure will help educators keep students and families engaged in schools without fear.
The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts said immigrant families should be able to send children to school, seek treatment and care for their families without facing immigration enforcement at those locations.
Health care leaders said the law may help patients feel safer seeking medical treatment and sharing sensitive information with providers.
Community health centers, hospitals, nurses and medical associations said fear of enforcement can cause people to delay care, which can worsen health outcomes and create additional public health risks.
Legal advocacy organizations said the law strengthens due process and helps ensure that people can appear in court or meet with attorneys without fear of being detained for civil immigration violations.
The law also contains an employment-related provision requiring notice before certain federal inspections of employee eligibility documents.
Supporters said that notice may allow workers to speak with an attorney, gather records and prepare guardianship arrangements before an enforcement action.
Immigrant organizations said the PROTECT Act does not eliminate the broader risks facing immigrant families and does not replace the need for federal immigration reform.
They described it as a state-level effort to protect access to public institutions and prevent state and local resources from being used for broad civil immigration enforcement.
The law takes effect as Massachusetts officials continue challenging several Trump administration immigration policies in court and through state agency action.
Healey said the signing represents both a public safety measure and a civil rights response to federal immigration tactics.
The administration said state agencies will now begin implementing the new requirements, including developing guidance, reporting systems and procedures for sensitive locations, correctional facilities and employers.
State officials are also expected to issue additional multilingual materials explaining the law and the rights of residents during immigration enforcement encounters.
Supporters said the law is intended to reassure families that schools, hospitals, courthouses and child care centers remain accessible.
They also said its broader goal is to preserve trust between immigrant communities, law enforcement agencies, educators, health care providers and state government.
With Healey’s signature, Massachusetts now enters the implementation phase of what state leaders described as one of the nation’s most expansive state laws limiting cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement.