Gov. Healey files legislation, signs executive order against ICE actions in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced she is taking various actions against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the state. (WJAR/Pool)
BOSTON, Mass. (WJAR) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced she is taking various actions against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the state.
Healey filed a legislation that would keep ICE out of courthouses, schools child care programs, hospitals and churches.
That legislation will also make it unlawful for another state to deploy its National Guard in Massachusetts without the governor's permission and allow parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in case they are deported or detained, the governor's office said.
“In Massachusetts and across the country, we continue to see unlawful and unconstitutional actions by ICE that are meant to intimidate and instill fear in our communities, including against United States citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights,” Healey said. “This puts people at risk and in harm’s way, and I find it necessary in the interest of public safety to take this action today.”
Healey also signed an executive order that will prohibit the state from entering into new agreements unless there's a public safety need, prohibiting ICE from making civil arrests in non-public areas of state facilities and prohibiting the use of state property for immigration enforcement.
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According to Healey, Department of Homeland Security followed a "protected areas" policy which kept immigration enforcement actions in sensitive areas like hospitals, courts and school programs.
Officials said the policy was rescinded by the Trump administration in January 2025. Healey said her legislation would restore the protections in those spaces.
"ICE's activity across the country is a reckless, dangerous and lawless abuse of power. When militarized federal agents kill people in the streets, detain innocent children, attack protesters with tear gas and pepper spray, and remove law-abiding residents from their loved ones, it does nothing to make our communities safer. Attorneys general are stepping up to hold the federal government accountable, and I am grateful to Governor Healey for today's announcement to further protect Massachusetts residents," Attorney General Andrea Campbell said.
