Massachusetts lawmaker optimistic Bay State will “be as courageous and brave as the people of Minneapolis” on push for strong immigrant protections from ICE

BY ALISON KUZNITZ

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, March 18, 2026…..Hundreds of people crammed into Gardner Auditorium Wednesday to build momentum for immigrant protection legislation that was simultaneously up for a hearing in the capitol, as lawmakers and sheriffs grappled with public safety approaches during heightened federal immigration law enforcement.

The annual Immigrants’ Day event — featuring multilingual songs, chants and greetings — was so crowded that organizers had to ask attendees to not block exits. At a time when some immigrants are fearful of leaving their homes and getting detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, supporters of the so-called PROTECT Act (H 5158Track) turned out to appeal to get the bill out of committee and put it up for votes.

“We are on the cusp of doing something overdue,” said Pablo Ruiz, political director at 32BJ SEIU, during the event hosted by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. “Our communities are in pain. Our kids deserve to be in a classroom, not at home waiting out ICE.”

Sen. Cindy Friedman, who’s weighing responses to Trump administration policies, nodded as Ruiz spoke.

Top Democrats have attached importance to new immigrant protections but have not acted. Gov. Maura Healey filed reforms in January as part of a supplemental budget to prevent ICE agents from entering courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals and churches.

The governor’s changes were not included in a version of the governor’s bill that is moving through the House on Wednesday, but House Speaker Ron Mariano has forecast floor action sometime this spring.

The PROTECT Act would ban federal civil immigration arrests in courthouses. Officers and employees at law enforcement agencies would also be blocked from providing advanced notice of a person’s release or facilitating a transfer that would help federal immigration agents.

ICE agents last fall said they arrested more than 1,400 “illegal aliens” in Massachusetts during a targeted immigration sweep. More than 600 of those individuals had “significant criminal convictions” or pending criminal charges, ICE said.

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a significantly safer place to live and work thanks to the hard work and determination of the men and women of ICE and our federal partners,” David Wesling, Boston acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, said in October.

Wesling said the people arrested included “criminal offenders who victimized innocent people and traumatized entire communities — murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, child sex predators and members of violent transnational criminal gangs.”

Immigrant supporters say enforcement agents are too often targeting people without criminal backgrounds.

Friedman said she’s been wondering whether Massachusetts could “ever be as courageous and brave as the people of Minneapolis,” a city that’s been at the epicenter of federal immigration activity. Lawmakers here have acknowledged their pursuit of legislation was influenced by federal officials killing two civilians in Minneapolis.

“When I look at this group and I look at all these people, it gives me such hope, and such courage, and such optimism that yes we can and yes we will,” Friedman said, drawing cheers and applause.

The Arlington Democrat added, “We are paying very close attention to the PROTECT Act because we want to work together. We want to make sure that what we do in Massachusetts is the strongest and most enduring and lasting protections for our immigrants.”

Lamenting divisive rhetoric and immigration enforcement policy emanating from Washington, Rep. Carlos González called for Bay Staters to stay united and uphold Massachusetts values.

“We are stronger in Massachusetts because we have a legislative body that actually delivers on the principles of our constitution,” González said. “We have a Senate president and a speaker of the House who have heard the cries of those denied their due process. They haven’t just listened — they are taking action.”

The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a hearing Wednesday on the PROTECT Act, which earlier this month was the subject of a forum for House members. Chair Sen. John Cronin probed sheriffs on current interactions and notification procedures with ICE.

Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane said his office will honor notification requests from ICE when people are released on bail.

“If they want to come and pick the individual up, that’s up to them. We do not hold them a minute longer than when the bail clerk bails them out,” Cahillane said. “Those are the rare cases. Most of the cases that are happening are individuals going to court, and ICE knows that they are at the courthouse, and that becomes the problematic piece.”

Of the 900 people in the Essex County jail in February, 125 had ICE detainers, said Special Sheriff Bill Gerke. The majority of those detainers are tied to drug trafficking, homicide, rape and domestic violence charges.

The decision to notify ICE about bail releases can depend on public safety risks and the volume of work happening at the sheriff’s office, Gerke said. He pointed out that crime victims are also notified prior to people’s release, depending on the circumstance of the case.

“Everything that we have done in our particular operation with Sheriff (Kevin) Coppinger is being motivated by public safety, and that’s the balance that he is trying to bring to the table,” said Gerke, who acknowledged sheriffs “do have discretion on the notification.”

Rep. Daniel Cahill said people can be accused of “heinous crimes” though the cases may not be “solid.” The Lynn Democrat asked how sheriffs would react to the Legislature blocking them from proactively contacting ICE.

“Well, if you want to help out the sheriffs, you would put it into the legislation and say you cannot do this or you can do this — one way or another,” said Cahillane, noting the approach would eliminate sheriffs’ current discretion over how to cooperate with ICE.

At the MIRA event, attendees erupted in cheers as Healey told them, “I look forward to seeing a bill reach my desk. I know it’s going through the process right now.”

Reflecting on “trauma” caused by the Trump administration, Healey encouraged advocates to consider additional ways beyond legislation to support immigrants, particularly families that have lost wage earners.

“This does not go away when Kristi Noem leaves. This does not go away with Donald Trump leaving,” Healey said, as she called for a “sustained effort to take care of one another, to support one another, to show who we are as Massachusetts and show who we are as Americans.”

Alison Kuznitz is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at akuznitz@stateaffairs.com.