Senate Advances the PROTECT Act

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.