58 organizations pushing for ending collaboration in Massachusetts between local law enforcement and ICE, expanding access to optional virtual court proceedings, improving U/T visa process

BOSTON – According to the State House News Service, People’s PROTECT Act Coalition, a group of 58 organizations, will rally at the State House Monday at 1:00 p.m. to urge lawmakers to pass a strengthened version of the so-called PROTECT Act for immigrant communities.

The House passed a version of this bill earlier this month, and the Senate has signaled it plans to take up the legislation soon as well. The group says the version of the bill that passed the House “falls short of what is needed.”

They outline three priorities for the legislation: “ending harmful collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE, expanding access to optional virtual court proceedings, and improving the U/T visa process.”

The immigrant protection bill that passed through the House is focused on limiting the role of local and state police in civil immigration matters, and protecting immigrants in certain public spaces like courthouses.