(BOSTON 8/6/2026) — The Massachusetts Legislature last week passed sweeping legislation to protect residents from overreach by federal immigration authorities and to ensure that local and state law enforcement are not involved in federal immigration enforcement. Signed into law yesterday by Governor Maura Healey, the legislation creates among the strongest protections in the nation for residents who have immigrated to their communities.

The final bill, An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment – known as the PROTECT Act – strengthens due process protections; limits civil immigration enforcement in courthouses, public school grounds, hospitals, and other sensitive locations; expands protections for victims of crime; and increases transparency, accountability, and clarity for correctional facilities and law enforcement relative to civil immigration enforcement. The PROTECT Act was originally filed by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, with the goal of offering feasible policy options to address growing concerns about federal overreach in Massachusetts.

“The President was elected on platform of using ICE to go after ‘worst of the worst,’ but in cities and towns across America, we’re seeing indiscriminate and unconstitutional overreach by federal agents – terrorizing neighborhoods, splitting families, and hurting trust in Government to do the right thing,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “The PROTECT Act maintains the ability of our local law enforcement here in Massachusetts to protect our communities while ensuring state resources are not used to harass and disappear our neighbors. By taking a stand against the cruelest actions we’ve seen from agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, this bill will help keep families together, strengthen trust in local police, and protect Bay Staters in schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Although we have more to do, I’m proud that we’re taking these important steps toward making the Commonwealth a safer and more secure place to live for all.”

Highlights of the legislation are detailed below.

FOSTERING TRUST BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES

Prohibits New 287(g) Agreements. Bars Massachusetts law enforcement agencies from signing new deputization agreements with federal immigration authorities, except in narrow, criminal-law-focused arrangements that meet additional safeguards.

Enhances Protections at Sensitive Locations. Bars civil immigration arrests without a judicial warrant at schools, childcare centers, medical facilities, and courthouses. The Governor may also restrict enforcement activity in non-public areas of state buildings and state agencies, private organizations. The public will receive multilingual guidance on responding to enforcement encounters, confirming an officer's credentials, and understanding their rights.

Permits Pre-Arrangement of Guardianship. Lets parents designate a guardian for their children in advance, so a plan is already in place if a family is separated by detention or deportation.

ENSURING EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION

Creates a Pathway for Justice for Civil Rights Violations. Establishes a civil cause of action against federal officers who violate a resident's constitutional rights, putting them under the same accountability standards as state and local police.

Protects Residents from Discrimination. Bars police from asking about a person's immigration status or stopping them because of it, absent a connection to a specific criminal matter.

OVERSEEING A FOCUSED LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM

Prohibits State and Municipal Participation in Immigration Enforcement. Keeps state and local police out of federal civil immigration enforcement, barring the use of local resources for that purpose, or detention, based solely on a civil immigration detainer.

Preserves Authority to Investigate and Prosecute Crime. Makes clear that officers can still pursue criminal investigations, share information tied to a criminal case, coordinate with federal partners on matters unrelated to civil immigration enforcement, and comply with a valid judicial warrant or court order.

Provides Oversight Authority to the State Auditor. Gives the State Auditor authority to review sheriffs' agreements with federal immigration agencies and any immigration detention facilities operating in the Commonwealth.

UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW

Supports Victims of Crime. Protects immigrant crime victims, including trafficking survivors, who assist law enforcement as witnesses, and speeds up review of their special visa applications so they can keep participating in investigations or trials.

Establishes Local Custody Protections. Requires county and state correctional facilities to notify people in custody, in writing, of their rights, including access to counsel and the right to decline interviews; keep a confidential phone line open for calls with an attorney; publish a number the public can use to confirm whether and where someone is detained; and log every access request and disclosure for at least a year.

NOTIFICATION OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS

Advance Notification to Employees. Requires employers to inform employees of receiving a notice of inspection by ICE to verify employment eligibility verification and other employment records.

Having been signed by the Governor, the bill is now law.

###