Immigration in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 4190: An Act authorizing extending local voting rights for lawful permanent residents residing in the city known as the town of Amherst

This bill would allow the town of Amherst to grant voting rights in local elections to lawful permanent residents (green card holders) living within its borders. It directly affects non-citizen residents who are legally authorized to live in the U.S. but cannot vote in state or federal elections. The key mechanism is authorizing Amherst to adopt a local ordinance, subject to approval by its town council, to extend these voting rights for municipal elections. The bill does not change state or federal voting laws but permits the town to determine local election eligibility.

Topics ✓ Immigration

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 4097: An Act amending the special act charter of the city of Northampton to allow resident non-citizens to vote in preliminary and city elections

This bill amends Northampton's city charter to allow non-citizen residents to vote in local city elections. It directly affects non-citizen residents living in Northampton who are not disqualified under state law. The key provision removes citizenship requirements for voting in preliminary, special, and regular city elections, including elections for ward councilors and school committee members. The change applies only to local city elections, not state or federal elections. The bill updates the city's voting qualifications section to explicitly include noncitizens as eligible voters.

Topics ✓ Immigration

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 6, 2025

S 2125: An Act relative to language access and inclusion

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2125) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Jason M. Lewis, James B. Eldridge, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to language access and inclusion. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 732: An Act increasing access to universal dental care

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 732) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to increase access to universal dental care for all residents of the commonwealth regardless of immigration status. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 3, 2025

H 2080: An Act to promote economic mobility through ESOL

HD 4137 creates a new ESOL for economic mobility coordinator position within Massachusetts' Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill requires this coordinator to develop a statewide strategy providing English language training to workers with limited English proficiency (LEP), particularly new arrivals and underemployed individuals, to help them secure jobs in high-demand fields. Key provisions include increasing ESOL program funding, shifting state funding toward vocational ESOL programs, leveraging community colleges to access federal resources, and establishing a 90-day pilot program. The coordinator must report annually on metrics like participants served, program expansions, and job placements, with $13 million in dedicated funding. The strategy must be developed in collaboration with employers, training providers, and community organizations, while working alongside existing education and economic development agencies.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

S 143: An Act to study the role of resettlement agencies in the successful integration of new arrivals in the Commonwealth

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 143) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation to study the role of resettlement agencies in the successful integration of new arrivals in the Commonwealth. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Refugees & Asylum

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 13, 2026

S 1776: An Act empowering law enforcement to cooperate with the United States to transfer custody of convicted criminals

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1776) of Bruce E. Tarr, Hannah Kane and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to empower law enforcement to cooperate with the United States to transfer custody of convicted criminals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Immigration

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 871: An Act relative to maintaining equal access to public education for all children in the Commonwealth

This bill (HD 871) strengthens equal access to Massachusetts public education for English learner students and their families. It directly affects schools, students, and parents by adding "immigration or citizenship status" to anti-discrimination protections, requiring qualified bilingual interpreters with specialized training, and mandating that student evaluations and assessments be conducted in the student's native language. The bill also prohibits schools from pressuring parents to decline English learner services for scheduling reasons and ensures IEP teams include experts on language acquisition when evaluating students with both language needs and disabilities. Key mechanisms include updated assessment requirements, interpreter standards, and explicit protections against coercive practices by school districts.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment Citizenship & Naturalization

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2055: An Act An act relative to Massachusetts identification cards

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand eligibility for state ID cards. It allows applicants without proof of lawful presence (including those ineligible for a Social Security number) to obtain a Massachusetts ID card if they meet other requirements and provide proof of identity, birthdate, and residency. The law prohibits the state from asking about or recording citizenship or immigration status during application processing, and requires all ID cards to meet federal REAL ID standards. This directly affects immigrants and others without proof of lawful presence who previously could not obtain standard state IDs.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

introduced · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2025

H 61: Amendment H.61

This bill allocates $425 million from a special fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, primarily affecting families experiencing homelessness and immigrant/refugee populations. It establishes temporary respite sites for eligible families (up to 30 days, extendable under specific conditions) and requires new background checks for emergency housing applicants, including disclosure of serious criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and consent for criminal record checks. The bill also limits emergency housing eligibility to 6 consecutive months for families with children or pregnant women, with exceptions for hardship cases like domestic violence, veterans, or high-risk pregnancies. These provisions aim to streamline housing assistance while adding verification requirements and time limits.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Homelessness Refugees & Asylum

All immigration bills