Update on May 8, 2026: The Senate passed the PROTECT Act on a near unanimous bipartisan vote of 37 to 3. The bill started on the floor as a strong bill. Amendments that were adopted during the floor debate mostly expanded safe space protections. Several weakening amendments were rejected on roll call votes. Leading immigrant and civil rights advocacy organizations expressed support and appreciation — selected quotes are reproduced below.
Statements by key advocacy groups (5/7/2026)
Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, and Lenita Reason, Executive Director of the Brazilian Workers Center—On behalf of the Protecting Massachusetts Communities Coalition:
“We are immensely grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka, the Senate Steering and Policy Committee chaired by Senator Cindy Friedman, the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, and members of the Senate who have thoughtfully engaged with stakeholders for many months to develop this strong legislation to protect our immigrant neighbors and all Massachusetts residents. This bill sends a powerful message to ICE that their illegal actions and harmful tactics are unwelcome in Massachusetts. To keep our communities safe, individuals must be able to trust local officials and law enforcement. When people are afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or engage with public institutions, entire communities are put at risk. At a time when immigrant communities across the Commonwealth face increased fear and uncertainty, this legislation represents a critical step in standing up for our neighbors and our values. We urge the Senate to swiftly pass the PROTECT Act and look forward to seeing the strongest possible legislation passed into law and signed by the Governor as soon as possible.”
Carol Rose, Executive Director, ACLU of Massachusetts
“We are deeply appreciative of the Senate’s dedication to pushing back on the worst excesses of the Trump administration and ICE’s lawless and brutal tactics in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth needs the PROTECT Act and we need it now. We are grateful to the many lawmakers and advocates who have worked tirelessly to protect our immigrant neighbors and improve safety and trust for all Massachusetts residents.”
Maroni Minter, Political Director, MIRA Coalition
“To keep cities and towns across Massachusetts safe, people must trust state and local law enforcement officers and these officers must be able to do their jobs, not the work of federal agents. Our immigrant neighbors must be able to move safely to work, school, doctors appointments and more without fear that they will never see their loved ones again. The grim reality is that we must pass legislation to protect civil rights and due process from the militaristic actions of our federal government, actions that are incompatible with democratic values. We commend the Senate President, her leadership team, and the Black and Latino Caucus for their vital work with this new legislation and for all Massachusetts leaders for continuing to stand up to protect Massachusetts communities.”
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
“This bill is a crucial step in protecting Massachusetts immigrants from increasingly unlawful and violent attacks by the federal government. Importantly, this bill protects immigrants and their employers from sudden and often unlawful ICE enforcement actions. ICE has been using the I-9 audit process as a means of identifying immigrants (often lawful immigrants) for arrest, detention and deportation. By requiring employers to post a simple notice informing employees that ICE officers will be reviewing their private data, immigrants will have time to speak to an attorney, document their lawful status, and make a plan for their children in case they are taken by ICE.”
Gladys Vega, President and CEO, La Colaborativa
“In Chelsea, immigrants are essential workers, parents, business owners, and neighbors who contribute every day to the strength of our state. This legislation is about protecting due process, keeping families together, and making sure Massachusetts leads with Love, dignity and humanity and most importantly fairness. In communities of color, we cannot build strong communities when people are forced to live in the shadows, when people are afraid of reporting crimes. Supporting the Protect Act means standing for justice for the love of Humanity.”
Original statement on Bill Release, April 30, 2026: Below is an official Senate press release announcing legislation developed by the Senate Steering and Policy Committee on which I serve. Further below is an official fact sheet with highlights of the bill. We will be considering this legislation next week. As noted in the release, this legislation is the product of extensive collaboration among Senators and stakeholders. My particular focus has been the Universal 1983 provisions of the bill.
Senate press release
(BOSTON—4/30/2026) The Massachusetts Senate advanced its version of the PROTECT Act today—a major legislative package to protect the rights of all Massachusetts residents, particularly immigrants, young children, and victims of crimes. Below are statements of support.
Members of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy
Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senator William N. Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Senator Joanne M. Comerford (D-Northampton), Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), and Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence):
“The actions of federal immigration enforcement officials, at the direction of President Trump and Congressional Republicans, have brought fear and chaos to neighborhoods across Massachusetts and our nation. These actions must be met with a policy response that makes clear that we will defend both the people and the values of this Commonwealth—and which goes as far as we can as a state to deliver protections to the residents of Massachusetts, especially our immigrant communities.
“The Senate version of the PROTECT Act, which builds off the work of Governor Healey and our colleagues in the House of Representatives, is the product of countless conversations with immigrants’ rights advocates, government officials, law enforcement stakeholders, residents of the Commonwealth, and our colleagues in the Senate.
“These conversations have shaped the Senate’s version of this bill, which would:
- Ensure sensitive locations remain places of trust where all residents have the safety they deserve;
- Prohibit state and local law enforcement from engaging in civil immigration enforcement;
- Ban government entities from entering into new 287(g) agreements;
- Protect residents from direct actions by federal law enforcement that violate individual protections under the United States Constitution; and
- Prohibit state and local law enforcement from unnecessarily questioning a person about their immigration or citizenship status or stopping a person because of their citizenship or immigration status.
“We owe it to our residents to stand up for all who call Massachusetts home and live up to the values we aspire to—liberty and justice for all.”
Senate Members of the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus
Senator Liz Miranda (D-Boston), Vice Chair:
“The Senate’s advancement of the PROTECT Act is a strong step forward at a time when many of our immigrant families are living with real fear and uncertainty. The Senate has built on this work in meaningful ways, strengthening protections around information sharing, making clear that state resources cannot be used to support civil immigration enforcement, and closing loopholes that allow indirect cooperation with ICE. Just as importantly, this bill ensures local officials have the clarity and authority to say no, prevents unnecessary detention and transfers, and creates real accountability so people can enforce their rights in court. This bill meets the moment, and I’m proud to see it moving forward. I’m grateful to the Senate President and members of the Steering and Policy Committee.”
Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield):
“When the Federal government fails to protect our communities, and starts attacking our immigrant neighbors, we stand up in Massachusetts for what is just and right. To those immigrant families forced now to live in fear we tell them: We are standing with you. You are not alone. Fear will not win. We will keep leading and protecting our neighbors from any kind of abuse. Hate doesn’t have a place in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I want to thank the Senate President, Chairman Rodrigues, and my fellow Black and Latino Caucus Members for their leadership and steadfast support of these individuals and am proud to help advance the measures taken here.”
Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence):
“I am proud to have filed the PROTECT Act alongside my colleagues in the Senate. At its core, this bill is about restoring trust and setting clear boundaries. It makes sure local law enforcement is focused on keeping our communities safe, not acting as an extension of federal immigration enforcement. It also recognizes something fundamental: certain spaces in our communities should be protected: schools; courts; houses of worship—places where people should feel safe showing up without fear. This bill isn’t the end of the work. There’s more to do. But it is a clear statement that we are going to keep fighting to make sure every family in this Commonwealth can live with dignity, without fear, and with the full protection of the law.”
Senator Lydia Edwards (D-Boston):
“When we talk about public safety, we have to be clear—our communities are safest when every resident can live, work, and seek help without fear,” said Senator Lydia Edwards, Chair of the Immigration Caucus and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “That includes keeping our courts safe and ensuring they remain places where justice is accessible to all. Representing a district with a large immigrant population, I see every day how fear and uncertainty can push people into the shadows. The PROTECT Act draws a clear line, ensuring that Massachusetts remains a place where rights are respected and families are protected. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Chairman Rodrigues, and my fellow Black and Latino Caucus members for moving this forward with urgency and purpose.”
Advocates & Stakeholders
Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, and Lenita Reason, Executive Director of the Brazilian Workers Center—On behalf of the Protecting Massachusetts Communities Coalition:
“We are immensely grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka, the Senate Steering and Policy Committee chaired by Senator Cindy Friedman, the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, and members of the Senate who have thoughtfully engaged with stakeholders for many months to develop this strong legislation to protect our immigrant neighbors and all Massachusetts residents. This bill sends a powerful message to ICE that their illegal actions and harmful tactics are unwelcome in Massachusetts. To keep our communities safe, individuals must be able to trust local officials and law enforcement. When people are afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or engage with public institutions, entire communities are put at risk. At a time when immigrant communities across the Commonwealth face increased fear and uncertainty, this legislation represents a critical step in standing up for our neighbors and our values. We urge the Senate to swiftly pass the PROTECT Act and look forward to seeing the strongest possible legislation passed into law and signed by the Governor as soon as possible.”
Carol Rose, Executive Director, ACLU of Massachusetts:
“We are deeply appreciative of the Senate’s dedication to pushing back on the worst excesses of the Trump administration and ICE’s lawless and brutal tactics in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth needs the PROTECT Act and we need it now. We are grateful to the many lawmakers and advocates who have worked tirelessly to protect our immigrant neighbors and improve safety and trust for all Massachusetts residents.”
Maroni Minter, Political Director, MIRA Coalition:
“To keep cities and towns across Massachusetts safe, people must trust state and local law enforcement officers and these officers must be able to do their jobs, not the work of federal agents. Our immigrant neighbors must be able to move safely to work, school, doctors appointments and more without fear that they will never see their loved ones again. The grim reality is that we must pass legislation to protect civil rights and due process from the militaristic actions of our federal government, actions that are incompatible with democratic values. We commend the Senate President, her leadership team, and the Black and Latino Caucus for their vital work with this new legislation and for all Massachusetts leaders for continuing to stand up to protect Massachusetts communities.”
Fact Sheet & Highlights: The PROTECT Act: An Act Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust and Equal Constitutional Treatment S.3072
April 30, 2026
An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment—the PROTECT Act—prioritizes the safety of immigrants and all Massachusetts residents from the weaponization of federal immigration enforcement by the Trump administration.
The legislation guards against violations of all residents’ Constitutional rights, promotes trust in local and state police, and curbs fear-inducing immigration actions at sensitive community locations, such as courts, houses of worship, public school grounds, and hospitals.
Young children, victims of crimes, and legal residents with complicated immigration statuses are among the groups who would be specifically protected and aided by provisions of the legislation.
Details of the legislation are below.
Ensuring Equal Treatment Under the Constitution
Guards Residents from Civil Rights Violations. Holds federal officers accountable for cases of excessive use of force that violate residents’ Constitutional rights. Creates a new civil liability and holds federal agents to the same standards that municipal and state law enforcement officers must live up to.
Protects Residents from Discrimination. Prohibits state and local law enforcement from unnecessarily questioning a person about their immigration or citizenship status or stopping a person because of their citizenship or immigration status.
Fostering Trust Between Residents and Their Communities
Prohibits New 287(g) Agreements. Prohibits law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts from entering into new ‘287(g)’ agreements, through which the federal government effectively deputizes local officials to carry out immigration enforcement duties.
Enhances Protections at Sensitive Locations. Prohibits officers from making warrantless civil immigration enforcement arrests at certain sensitive locations, including houses of worship, public school grounds, childcare facilities, health care providers, and state courts, so people can utilize these resources and fully participate in their communities. Additionally, the bill gives the Attorney General authority to help ensure compliance with federal laws that prohibit [with federal protections against] ICE and other federal law enforcement from deploying intimidation tactics at polling places.
Permits Pre-Arrangement of Guardianship. Allows parents to set up a pre-arranged guardianship plan for their children, to be put into action if the family is physically split up because the parents are detained or deported.
Overseeing a Focused Law Enforcement System
Prohibits State and Municipal Participation in Immigration Enforcement. State and local law enforcement officers would be prohibited from questioning someone or taking an action for the purpose of federal civil immigration enforcement. The legislation also prohibits detaining someone based on a civil immigration detainer or asking about civil immigration or citizenship status during a routine police stop unless necessary to enforce criminal law.
Preserves Authority to Investigate and Prosecute Crime. Makes clear that limits on law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement do not hold back local or state officers from investigating or enforcing criminal law, including receiving personally identifying information during a lawful criminal investigation, communicating with federal authorities for purposes of conducting coordinated criminal investigations unrelated to federal civil immigration enforcement, complying with a valid judicial warrant or court order, or enforcing other federal or state laws.
Upholding the Rule of Law
Supports Victims of Crimes. Prioritizes the safety of immigrants who are victims of crime, including victims of human trafficking, when they are cooperating as witnesses in court proceedings. Expedites their special visa applications for faster processing by police or prosecutors to ensure they can continue to aid in an investigation or trial.
Protects Public Employees from Baseless Federal Probes. Shields certain municipal and state employees from being subjected to federal intimidation by creating an expanded authority for potential indemnification of public employees acting within the scope of their duties.
Blocks Unauthorized Deployment of Other States’ National Guards in Massachusetts. Unless otherwise authorized under federal law, prohibits another state’s national guard from entering Massachusetts without permission of the Governor.
May We the People affirm our national charter and PROTECT us from the anti-democratic, nihilistic regime on Beacon Hill.
We’re not likely to see the Democrats’ bold Jefferson Davis Farewell Speech 2.0, just more of these petit successionist gestures. We know who the Party is and what they’ve become.
Please clarify if State law enforcement will safely turn over to ICE known criminals or continue to turn loose known pedophiles, rapists and murderers.
The wording in this legislation sounds like insurrection.
If they’re known rapists, pedophiles and murderers, they go to trial, not “turned loose.” (Or get appointed to Trump’s staff)
Than why are they turning them loose and refusing to cooperate with ICE detainers.
Also, not a fan of Trump and feel he has betrayed Country with Iran war. Feel like being controlled by President Mileikowsky. Also, protecting his friends like Lutnick.
However, I do believe far more sexual deviants and Communists are found under Democrat banner. All bad in my in my opinion.
Communists? really? are they under the bed? When you start talking about communists, your credibility takes a hit.
Sorry…authoritarian tyrants…fixed.
Oh, aren’t you funny. So in your opinion, Democrats support limited personal freedom and are characterized by centralized power, where a small elite or single leader makes decisions without the people’s consent. You’re saying Democrats foster authoritarian tyrants and are all bad in your opinion. You might have missed that the proposed Protection Act prioritizes the safety of immigrants and all Massachusetts residents. Nowhere does it say “illegal immigrants”.
The Kinks (English rock band) have an album called “Give the People What they Want. ”
It’s a good record.
It contemplates the difference between being sage, and being a sellout.
I imagine the State Senate is creating legislation like this because that’s what the people of Massachusetts want?
Though it sounds like it’s really the US Senate and House that’s continuing to abdicate their responsibilities.
We need sound immigration policy that makes sense.
Will – If you could ask them (the legislative branch) in the United States government to change the policy on immigration, what changes would you ask for them to make?
Surely you don’t want open borders, with no background checks, and criminals, such as rapist, pedophiles and welfare scammers residing in our stat,e who don’t even have legal status to be here.
Though that does continue.
If you could elaborate on your motivation for a bill like this, and address Mark’s concerns, which are also mine I would really appreciate that.
Thanks.
I appreciate the effort to emphasize the importance of the rule of law and reverence for the rights of individuals. I’m glad that there is clarity about this in the minds of the drafters of this legislation, unlike the shameful head-basher wannabes who feel more powerful backing federal governmental lawlessness. Civics anyone?
Well said. The proposed legislation looks like an important step in the right direction. Criminals in high places – e.g. in rogue government agencies staffed with thugs and gangsters – must be brought under control and made to face justice. Those who commit serious crimes in Massachusetts – and what could be a more serious crime than violating the basic law of the land? – have to pay their debt to society. Let’s use some of those huge “detention facilities” that they’ve been planning to put us into, for a different purpose. That of holding them in conditions of maximum security while they serve the sentences to be imposed by state courts. We’ll give them a fair trial first, of course…which is a great deal more than they would allow us. (That’s one important difference between civilized people and savages.) The only items they should be allowed to hang on the walls of their cells would be copies of the Bill of Rights and the rest of the Constitution. Allow them to apply for parole when they’re able to recite the entire Bill of Rights from memory. Otherwise let them sit on their bunks and twiddle their thumbs for another decade or two. Good riddance.
Thank you, Will.
Thank you, Senator!
Massachusetts is not an independent country that can make its own laws on immigration and immigration enforcement. Being in this country illegally is illegal. Protecting and encouraging illegality is morally wrong, if not downright illegal too. It’s as simple as that. There seems to be no end in pandering to the masses, even if it makes no sense.
Thank you Eva common sense,
ICE IS DOING THERE JOBS!!
The cruel Democrats are the authors and owners of the suffering and peril illegals are facing just as Hamas is culpable for all the suffering in the Gazan towns.
ICE must repel the invasion root and branch and we must guard against the repeat of such treason. It was the Democrat’s desperation and nihilism to suborn this invasion and assault on our elections and our constitutional republic.
Eva, You may have missed the point within the proposed Protection Act. It does not support illegal immigrants. It supports immigrants and all Massachusetts residents.
who knows who is legal and
who isn’t, ICE needs to round up all the Illegals period
Without word games (lies) the Beacon Hill regime has nothing to aid and abet their grift. The virtues of the Democrats are myth.
Politicians like Will are encouraging hate with this demonizing divisive legislation against our Federal law enforcement. In my opinion it is borderline insurrection.
Without question.
I agree.
Read the Federal code: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324
Yes your ? percent right
Illegals are illegals
Massachusetts is WRONG
ICE will be back
Tom Holman is right
Some illegals are terrorists – 44 percent of Mass residents disapprove of this ACT
Does the Massachusetts Department of Correction have a 287(g) agreement in place, and if so why should it be effectively grandfathered in by the legislation?
Hi, Michael. Yes, DOC has a 287(g) agreement with DOC. The legislation reflects the Governor’s stated position that she wants to maintain it.
Here’s an article on MA’s agreement: https://boltsmag.org/massachusetts-prisons-contract-with-ice/
In the section entitled “Enhances Protections at Sensitive Locations with federal protections,” second sentence:
After”against ICE”:
ADD: “and to prohibit”
and DELETE: “other”
Don
Thanks, Don. Helpful clarification. I’ve made it.
This pertains to Section 4 of the bill which reads:
https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/05/01/biden-appointed-judge-releases-violent-illegal-immigrant-wanted-for-murder/
I am tired of all this performative theater and sleigh of hand to keep the voters eye on others vs. the State government and their actions or lack of. Why are you wasting time on this in favor of focus on reducing the state spend and restoring the traditional levels of local aid as well as complying with the audit and reducing our energy costs to at least the national state average? We are all tired of everything is Trump’s fault.
Also, the constitution only applies to those who have adopted it by becoming a citizen. Illegals don’t own allegiance nor protection and people here on visa are protected by their home country, not our rules. All people should be treated humanely but the constitution isn’t relevant and shouldn’t be cited as relating to illegals. This is just more effort to equate immigrant and illegal. The two are not the same and we should always ensure that this distinction is maintained. If we don’t like the current immigration rules then why don’t the US reps propose new rules more to their liking versus encouraging the resistance and potential lawbreaking of the state populace and law enforcement folks. This is at best, wasted effort, and at worst a way to get folks from ICE, immigrants and citizens hurt, killed, sued or incarcerated. We have enough real enemies why fight amongst ourselves.
Excellent comment, thanks Mike.
Agreed. See Federal Code, which is clear:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324
Dear Mr. Dorgan: Back in 1886 the Supreme Court ruled in Wong Win v. United States that undocumented immigrants are entitled to constitutional protection of due process and cannot be punished for crimes without a fair trial. See also the Supreme Court’s decisions in Yick Wo v. Hopkins (1886), Bridges v. Dixon (1945), Plyler v. Doe (1882), and Zadvydas v. Davis (2001). I haven’t heard about any of those decisions being overturned. If they haven’t, then undocumented people living within the United States are still protected by our Constitution. Which is the supreme law of the land and cannot legitimately be violated by anyone, including federal government employees. We kicked out the monarchy back in the eighteenth century. Loyal Americans today are determined to prevent monarchy from reestablishing itself. Our most valuable tool in this endeavor is our Constitution. I’m proud to speak out in its defense.
All people within the United States are protected by the Constitution, and must obey the laws of the US and whatever state or territory they are in. Some rights, such as voting and various social assistance programs are restricted by law to citizens, but any write not explicitly restricted, such as the right to due process, trial by jury, right to an attorney, search or seizure without a warrant, protection against self-incrimination and from cruel and unusual punishment, etc. apply to everyone, not just citizens.
Illegals should be treated humanly, but why do illegal immigrants get the special privilege of financial support from taxpayers to the tune of $1.5B while legal immigrants and citizens struggle.
When the Biden Administration et al., CONSPIRE TO SUBORN, SUBORN, AID AND ABET a literal alien invasion by inciting and incentivizing migration and standing down at the border sanctuary policies are insurrection.
The Democratic Party and their socialist playthings are morally bankrupt.
Pot meet Kettle.
Would love to hear you speak out on this Kenneth
https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/05/02/massachusetts-sjc-to-hear-fight-over-voter-approved-legislature-audit/
This topic of this thread is Senate S.3072, the PROTECT Act. Have you any thoughts about it that you might wish me to reply to? I’d be happy to do so.
Oops! First word of my reply, just above here, should be “The”….not “This”.
So, Kenneth, you support Constitutional carry and disapprove of Massachusetts Dems nullifying the Second Amendment of the Constitution?
Also, the invader class in the contemporary case is not analogous.
“Twas brillig and the slithy tove did gyre and gimble in the wabe.” (Direct quote from L. Carroll.)
Ditto
I believe that most who seek refuge in the US intend to become citizens or permanent residents. Others may not and either choose to or are forced to live in the shadows. Temporary protective status (TPS) has been given to those whose countries of origin are considered too dangerous to return to. Many of those without TPS nevertheless fear for their safety back home if deported, and apply for asylum.
The Trump administration doesn’t care, and makes no distinction among these groups. It seems bent on deporting all foreign nationals who have non-Caucasian coloration or features, regardless of legal status. They say they are kicking out violent criminals, but fewer than 30% of those they’ve detained and deported have records, few of which involve violent crimes. It’s all performative at huge expense, and in this discriminant dragnet a lot of good people get hurt, condemned to misery or death at the whim of DHS. Should not the Commonwealth stand up for their rights to be treated lawfully?
Mass. can’t prohibit Federal agents/ICE out of particular places – or anyplace for that matter – in Mass., just as it can’t keep the US Army or Joe Shmoe of New Hampshire out of Mass.
Federal rights overrule state decisions.
Will knows this since he’s a lawyer.
Moreover, if anyone, even the police, knowingly “HARBORS” an illegal alien even if the Feds have not issued a detainer or warrant, is ILLEGAL under “8 U.S. Code § 1324 – Bringing in and harboring certain aliens”:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324
Go ahead and read it.
In fact – read the code – no one can “transport or move” an alien.
Will knows all this, but is trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes.
Sanctuary cities “Encourage” the entrance of illegal aliens and thus violate the law.
Read it.
Funny thing about Will and his cheerleaders here are that they don’t really care about my constitutional rights. And I am a legal US citizen.
Case in point: the “emergency” covid “lockdowns.”
“Lockdown” isn’t even a health term. It’s a term for criminals. And I am not a criminal. I have never even been arrested, let alone convicted, of any crime whatsoever.
Having said all that, our now state auditor Diana DiZoglio presented a bill during the covid lockdowns that proposed that the state legislature should get back to doing the business of the people 60 days into the lockdowns. I asked Will to support that bill. He wouldn’t even have a dialogue with me about it. So. As a citizen of Massachusetts, I was under emergency governor orders, for 3 years!! Very little legislation was being passed on my behalf during that time. No legislation was passed to protect my civil and constitutional rights.
It’s a head scratcher.
I just can’t seem to make sense out of so much of what I see going on in the state legislature for the past several years. Their priorities seem to be very out of order.
Exactly. Massive hypocrisy.
The sole m.o. of the Democratic Party is to sustain itself, and it does so by cultivating dependency and being a headwind to emancipation. The Democratic Party abandoned self governance for ruling.
The Democratic party is a vessel for our enemies and adversaries.
Right on
So many of the above comments are painful to read, with their heartless implication that “illegals” are sub-human and not deserving of basic rights, and that immigrants, regardless of whether they are in the US legally or not, if they have been convicted of crimes in the Commonwealth, served their sentence, and been released after having done so, should now be handed off to a corrupt lawless federal administration that doesn’t even pretend to treat these people like humans, caging them like rabid animals while denying basic nutrition, sanitation, medical care, or access to lawyers.
And so many have said, in so many words: ‘Who cares? They don’t deserve any of these things.’
Treating any individual human or group of humans as non-humans diminishes our own humanity. As does labeling lawful protesters as ‘enemies of the state’ and allow untrained, unqualified, & unidentified federal ICE officers to assault & kill them in the streets. As does sweeping up & deporting en masse legal and illegal immigrants, with little or no evidence, no oversight, no recourse, to countries they have never been to. In a very short time, our country has shamefully become like so many other historical examples of lethal, unaccountable, and corrupt authoritarianism. This serves none of us, save the ultra rich.
Because the federal government has completely abdicated duty, ethics, justice, and humanity, it is up to states to do the job. This means legislation like that the Massachusetts Senate is advancing, but that alone is not enough.
Massachusetts is the ONLY ‘blue state’ that still has a 287(g) contract with ICE. The only one. Governor Healey, for all the good she has done, and all her claims to care about curbing ICE’s illegal & deadly excesses, could end the agreement with a stroke of the pen, but has not. She must. Immediately. Otherwise any related state legislation is moot.
Further, it seems that several sheriffs in the Commonwealth are working with ICE, even without local 287(g) agreements. (https://boltsmag.org/massachusetts-prisons-contract-with-ice/) This too must stop immediately. Will, I hope the Senate legislation addresses that too.
To treat any human as less than human makes us all less human. Of course those who commit crimes must answer for them, and serve the sentences given if & when convicted. We the people commit a crime when we collude with a lawless administration to punish those who have paid their debts to society, regardless of where they’re from or how they got here. To do so undermines our own humanity.
Good points. Ever notice how people of authoritarian ilk accuse us of everything imaginable, except lying? To them, facts are kryptonite. And truth is of no consequence. So they carefully steer clear of disputing the factual truth of any substantive claim we might make in regard to policy issues. All we have to do is keep the discussion on-topic and refuse to let them get away with deflection. Keep up the good work.
Well said! I am so sickened by what ICE and the federal government has done. It breaks my heart.
Authoritarian? Yeah, it’s called enforcing our laws and defending our way of life. It’s the corrupt techno-fascists on Beacon Hill that want to put robots in charge of ticketing drivers who go five miles over the limit and cyclists who run red lights, and who nullify constitutional amendments, and loose DESI apparatchiks to indoctrinate our children behind the Trojan Horae of Quasar’s anarcho-socialist ensign.
DESE
Thank you Fred
Marcia
Thank you Senator Brownsberger!
I’m so relieved this is finally happening here in MA.
Thanks Will.
Thanks for taking this step. Due process is only real if it’s real for everyone. Masked people snatching folks without a judicial warrant and shipping them to other jurisdictions to evade due process will not stop at the undocumented.
Three things to know about being held in a fascist concentration camp: the conditions are terrible, the guards are stupid and cruel, but your fellow prisoners are the smartest and nicest people you’ll ever meet. Think seriously about whether you really believe the third factor will outweigh the other two when your turn comes to be grabbed, beaten, dragged off, interrogated, and locked up. If that line of thought depresses you and gives you pause, you might consider the wisdom of urging everyone you know to support the passage and enactment of the PROTECT act. Just sayin’.
Kenneth- I am curious where you were and your thoughts on American citizens being tased at childs football game, dragged off bleachers, and arrested, all for not wearing a mask during the plandemic which was so based on “science” that people believed blindly that if you followed the arrows on the floor in the stores that it would prevent COVID. Blindly following the tyrants. The majority of illegals being taken into custody by ICE have horrific crimes of sexual abuse of children, murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, gang activities. So sick of Democrats being OK with letting these people back into our communities to hurt more Americans. Disgusting. But then these same people who always yell about protecting people and “my body my choice” were all on board with locking up people who didnt want to get an experimental vaccine or wear a mask that did absolutely nothing, but see if you were one of the sheep or the lions (that is now showing devastating adverse side effects and illnesses that were hidden from the public by the scientists that should be in jail), on board with them losing their businesses, jobs and income to support their families, freedom to go into restauarants etc.
such warped hypocrisy always with Democrats…
Hello Susan. Tell me, please, which clauses in the PROTECT Act do you object to? And what do you find objectionable about them? I’ll be happy to respond to your thoughts if I can. (I’m just a layperson, not an attorney). Thanks.
Thank you very much for your support of and leadership on this bill. I support its passage along with Amendments 10 & 11.
Thank you, Will, and your fellow senators, for voting for the PROTECT Act. It’s brave of all of you to stand up for decent treatment of human beings who need compassion, because their circumstances make them vulnerable.
While this is great for determining what local and state law enforcement should do, the parts of the bill that apply to federal agents seem like a performative waste of time. From what I understand about how federal and state powers work, federal agents are not going to (nor are they obligated to) follow these state laws, (like the “mask regulations” and unless you’re going to force our local law enforcement into an armed conflict with federal agents (which is a bad look on the state’s side) which I know you’re absolutely not going to do, then the law is toothless and unenforceable and you’ve wasted your time, and wasted our time having read about it.
Eric, the performative collosal amount of time spent on this bill by our state Senate, and ongoing blogging by our state senator on this topic, does serves as a major distraction from so many other pressing issues that many of the most vulnerable constituents in Massachusetts currently face. Constituents who are citizens, who have full legal status. Including our many of our resident Veterans.
And our State Senate is also well aware that this issue is also extremely devisive.
Still, they choose to focus on this. At a time when many people are experiencing ongoing double-digit property tax increases (much of which were due to the backbreaking covid lockdown policies supported by our State Senate) overwhelming insurance increases, insurmountable rises in energy costs, food, labor, housing, etc.
The performative nature and divisive nature of this bill seem to be the end goal here. The real end goal.
All in all, this bill is about the best red meat our Massachusetts State Senate can currently offer to our many resident Trump haters.
We have and an ordinate amount of Trump haters here in the state of Massachusetts. They can’t articulate too much about a lot of his policy they don’t like. So, they cheer on the red meat issues whenever and wherever they can find them. This issue is one they feel entitled to put an exclamation a point on.
Hatred is always irrational and non-productive.
It’s really too bad our state senate isn’t using their time to focus on policy issues that would truly improve the lives of the voting constituency. In my opinion.
Thank you, Massachusetts Senate. Well done. Be ready to buckle up for a bumpy ride as November draws closer. Some hard decisions will have to be made, while navigating uncharted political waters. You’re off to a good start. Now build on it.
Will, I have to strongly disagree with you, the legislature and our misguided governor on this one. This is betrayal to the oath you took to uphold the Constitution and protect actual citizens of our State. Every person who has entered the U.S. illegally has committed a crime in doing so and must be deported. Every, single one. They are not citizens. They have no right to remain in this country. ICE is doing exactly what they’ve been doing for decades under every previous administration. Stop spending our hard-earned tax dollars to protect illegals and criminals. You have let us all down Will.
Mass. can’t tell ICE where it can’t go or what it can’ do any more than it can tell the FBI, National Guard, CDC, Secret Service, or US Army where they can’t go to do the jobs they are assigned.
The state is virtue-signaling on something it has no control over.
ICE has been around under every president since 2003 and Dems have never had any problem with it even under Obama and Biden.
Read the Federal Code, Will and constituents.
No one can harbor an illegal alien.
It’s in English. If you know an illegal alien, explain it to him/her/it/they.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324
“Bipartisan?” Pah!
The fabled “Massachusetts Republican” is Republican on name only.
Thanks Will. I really appreciate the hard work you and our legislature do to make sure the Commonwealth enables our residents to thrive without fear from the “State”.
I have passed this on to people who may have reason to fear being profiled by out of state agents solely based on how they look, the language they speak, the neighborhood they live in, or how they vote. Keep up the good fight.
If only the so-called Protection Act really cared about the victims of crime. The Massachusetts Governor, Senate and the House make a travesty out of the rule of law and our justice system.
Hi Russ. Which parts of the PROTECT Act do you object to, specifically? And for what reasons? It appears to me to be an exemplar of pro-victim, pro-law, pro-justice legislation. I find no fault with it.
Many illegals, collect monies from the state via SNAP, housing, whatever… AND since they SHOULDN’T have a LAWFUL SSN, then they DO NOT pay back into the system like me and all the other folks on this argumentative string.
That’s really the issue, isn’t it? WE pay and they suck it out.
I wonder what we’d find if the Legislative audit WERE to occur?
Please assure me that that I’m wrong, and I may get on board.
People without documentation are excluded from most of the major programs — housing (Section 8), health care (MassHealth, Medicare), food (SNAP), etc. These programs depend on federal support and are subject to federal policies. The only major exception is state funded public housing.
Eligibility and participation for the programs are a matter of public record.
Hello Carlos. Just to piggyback on what the Senator said in his reply: like everyone else, undocumented non-citizens have the Social Security tax automatically withheld from their paycheck. So they do indeed pay into the system. Just as you and I have done. But they don’t receive Social Security benefits in return, as you and I do. Federal law forbids it. By the way: employers in every state are required by federal law [Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986] to confirm the citizenship status of every one of their employees before hiring them. Businesses that hire undocumented non-citizens are in violation of federal law. They can be fined for it. If they have shown a pattern of repeatedly hiring undocumented workers over a period of time, in defiance of fines and warnings, they can face heavier fines plus a term of imprisonment. So why is ICE not tracking down the CEOs of companies that engage in this kind of criminal behavior? Why is ICE not kicking down doors and tearing those CEOs away from their families at 3:00 AM, without showing a warrant? And not teargassing them, beating them, handcuffing them, and dragging them away to waiting unmarked vans? And not subjecting them to hostile interrogation on the way to a secret detention center? And not holding them there, incommunicado, without access to an attorney or their family? And not turning them over to a federal District Attorney for prosecution? If all the businesses that habitually violate the immigration law were fined heavily and their CEOs imprisoned, most of the undocumented folks in the USA would stampede for the border en masse. By the millions. They would leave and never come back. Because they wouldn’t be able to support themselves and their families here anymore. My advice to you would be to urge the Trump regime to start cracking down on scofflaw businesses that attract and retain the kind of people whom you seem to dislike. And that actually pay them to live here. Oh, wait…..the CEOs of those highly profitable businesses also donate generously to the Republican party! Which used to meekly do their bidding. That is, right-wing politicians would look the other way while their rich donors profited handsomely from cheap foreign-born/undocumented labor. But nowadays the Republican party is fully onboard with Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. Which is an existential threat to the business model and profits of the Republican’s own donors. Now do you begin to understand why the Republicans are in a desperate bind? Their dyed-in-the-wool, torch-and-pitchfork-brandishing MAGA base wants all those immigrants deported, yesterday. But their wealthy elite donors need those same immigrants to stay here and work for peanuts in their farm fields, packing houses, factories, hotels, restaurants, and so forth. To carry out both agendas effectively– and simultaneously– is just about impossible. For this reason, as well as several others, the Republican party is tearing itself apart and eating itself alive. Jump ship, my friend. Swim for the Democrats. Or the Greens. Or the Flat-earthers. Or the Prohibitionists. Swim anywhere you like, but get away from that sinking Republican ship.
You guys do realize that this is unconstitutional, the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution forbids states from infringing on federal law enforcement.
I wish all you guys in the legislature cared as much about citizens as you do illegal aliens.
How about Massachusetts allow its citizens to PROTECT themselves? When the Lords and Ladies on Beacon Hill aren’t violating the First Amendment they’re nullifying the Second Amendment.
All I can say is thank goodness for Mitch McConnell’s clear eyed assessment of Obama et al. stoping the black robed coup against the Republic.
Once again Democrats profit at the expense of Black Americans. The Great Society dissolving black families and the unconstitutional Voting Rights Act creating dependent, racist fiefdoms.
I am in full throated support of this legislation. Now to pass in the House, and be signed by the Governor. Thank you Sen. Brownsberger for the synopsis of the current bill passed by the Senate.
AMERICANS DO SUPPORT BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THIS WAR OF NECESSITY IN IRAN!
Protect Act?! The Twelver regime, so long as it possesses the animating breath of life, will kill Americans and others in our civilization in ever greater numbers.
History will remember John Kerry solely as history’s bag man for nuclear blackmail and in that bag the Democrats tossed in America’s…. let’s say our backbone.
Advice for the Democrats, come back from Neptune, be a viable option for people who don’t hate America.
En a VUN, en a TWO, en a………..”SPRING-time, for DON-ald, and Wash-ing-TONNN!” (Brought to you courtesy of Zero and Gene, conducted by Lawrence. If the show flops, don’t blame them.)