Immigrants’ Rights Coalition Hails Growing Momentum in Efforts to Curb ICE Abuses in Massachusetts

Immigrants’ Rights Coalition Hails Growing Momentum in Efforts to Curb ICE Abuses in Massachusetts

BOSTON — On Wednesday, over 1,200 people packed the State House for the annual Immigrants’ Day advocacy event and held over 90 legislative meetings to call for urgent, meaningful protections against ICE abuses in our commonwealth. At the same time, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard many hours of powerful testimony supporting the intent and scope of the PROTECT Act, introduced by members of the Black and Latino caucus. The following day, a press conference held by Speaker Mariano offered further legislative support for these efforts by announcing the bill’s movement out of committee with modifications. The message of the week was clear: when it comes to ICE, we must show courage over fear. Above all, Bay Staters do not want their local police to collaborate with or assist a rogue federal agency that is wreaking havoc in our communities.  

In response to these events, the Protecting Massachusetts Communities Coalition issued the following statement :

“Elected officials here in Massachusetts have heard our calls and are moving quickly to craft a significant legislative response to ICE violence. The Black and Latino Caucus, together with House and Senate leadership, have developed substantive proposals that would introduce meaningful protections for Massachusetts communities. We are grateful for their leadership and their efforts to address this crisis. As our coalition members and supporters have testified, we strongly support a ban on collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies, and an end to 287(g) agreements that deputize local officials as ICE agents.

 

“We are eager to work with lawmakers and pass the strongest possible protections with all due haste — because the Trump administration’s violent and hateful campaign of mass deportation shows no sign of abating. Every day, our neighbors are seized from their homes, cars, workplaces, and schools, leaving devastated communities in their wake. This cannot go on. We must be equally relentless in our efforts to secure justice, safety, and dignity for those we love.”