Governor Healey wants ICE defunded, Massachusetts Republican Party responds

BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Republican Party today condemned calls by Governor Maura Healey to defund ICE.

During WCVB’s “On the Record,” Healey declared U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement “not a law enforcement agency.” 

In response to a direct question about whether ICE should be defunded, Governor Healey answered in the affirmative with “Yes.”

“Right now, ICE has too much power, unbridled authority, no guardrails, and it is not acting like a law enforcement agency and that’s why I say it’s really not a law enforcement agency, at this point.”

“Where was Healey’s criticism when President Biden was opening the border floodgates costing our state billions?” said MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale. “The Trump administration begins to effectively enforce our laws, and Healey now declares the entire law enforcement agency null and void. The Governor is threatening to put our communities and residents at risk.”

“This kind of cavalier attitude is exactly why voters will agree with Republicans in 2026,” Carnevale continued. “Thankfully our federal law enforcement personnel continue their work to make the United States safer again.”

Governor Healey also reiterated her objection to the planned ICE facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire.

“It should not happen. Governor Ayotte needs to stand up and oppose this.”