Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate May 7, 2026

S 3085: Amendment S.3085

This bill amends Massachusetts state laws to restrict civil immigration enforcement activities within nonpublic areas of state-owned buildings and facilities, except when required by federal law or specific state programs. It grants the governor the authority to prohibit or limit these enforcement efforts and requires the creation of rules to minimize potential civil rights violations. Additionally, the legislation mandates the publication of multilingual guidelines for state agencies, private organizations, law enforcement officers, and school districts on how to handle interactions related to immigration enforcement, including instructions on verifying officer credentials and documenting such encounters. These guidelines will be made available on the commonwealth's website to inform residents and visitors regardless of their immigration status.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts civil immigration enforcement in state buildings to protect civil rights and minimize violations, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts civil immigration enforcement in state buildings, limiting cooperation with federal authorities and protecting immigrant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 5316: An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment

This Massachusetts bill restricts civil immigration enforcement activities in nonpublic areas of state facilities unless required by law or necessary for federally funded programs. It requires the governor to create multilingual guidelines for state agencies, private organizations, law enforcement, and schools on how to handle immigration-related interactions, including verifying officer credentials and warrants. The legislation also mandates that correctional facilities provide detained individuals with written notices about their legal rights in their primary language. These provisions apply to a wide range of entities including police departments, universities, hospitals, and private organizations that employ ten or more people or receive state funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rule of law, oversight, and equal constitutional treatment while requiring multilingual guidelines for immigration interactions, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts civil immigration enforcement in state facilities and requires multilingual guidelines for handling immigration interactions, protecting immigrant rights and limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5305: An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment

This Massachusetts bill expands protections for people regardless of immigration status by limiting civil immigration enforcement activities within state facilities and requiring clear guidelines for interactions with law enforcement. The legislation allows the governor to restrict immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state buildings and mandates that correctional facilities provide detained individuals with written notices about their legal rights in their primary language. Additionally, the bill requires facilities to ensure confidential attorney-client communications and maintain detailed records of immigration-related detentions. State agencies and private organizations must also follow multilingual guidelines on how to verify law enforcement authority and document immigration enforcement interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight, protects civil rights, and improves transparency in law enforcement interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill expands protections for immigrants by limiting civil immigration enforcement in state facilities and ensuring language access for detained individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SD 3641: An Act to melt ICE defenses

This bill (SD 3641) claims to prevent federal agency memoranda (like those from ICE) from being used as legal defenses in Massachusetts state courts for civil or criminal cases. It proposes amending state law to state that such federal memoranda "shall not constitute a defense" to violations of state law. However, state courts already do not recognize federal memoranda as valid legal defenses, making this bill redundant and legally unnecessary. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee for review but would not change existing legal practice. The title "melt ICE defenses" is a mischaracterization of the bill's actual, non-substantive provisions.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationPrevents ICE memoranda from being used as legal defenses in state courts, limiting federal enforcement influence on immigrant cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 5158: An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment ("The PROTECT Act")

By Representatives Vargas of Haverhill and Garcia of Chelsea, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Andres X. Vargas, Judith A. Garcia and others for legislation to further regulate state and local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRegulates state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, limiting participation to protect immigrant rights and constitutional treatment per bill title/summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1675: An Act relative to sanctuary policies in the commonwealth

By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1675) of Peter J. Durant, John R. Gaskey, Joseph D. McKenna, Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. and others for legislation to further define sanctuary policies in the commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill defines sanctuary policies, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, aligning with immigrant protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 2580: An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents

HD 3816, the "Safe Communities Act," prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from asking about immigration status during routine interactions (except when legally required) and restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It requires written consent with clear explanations in multiple languages before DHS interviews of people in custody, and bans automatic notifications to DHS about individuals' release from custody (except for end-of-sentence releases). The law also prohibits police from acting as immigration officers under federal agreements and mandates training for law enforcement on these provisions. These changes directly affect all Massachusetts residents, especially immigrant communities, and apply to state/local police, sheriffs, and correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits state/local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect civil rights, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, protecting immigrant rights and safety per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2026

H 4115: An Act relative to preventing immigration reporting and ensuring the right to legal counsel

H 4115 would prohibit state and local agencies from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities and guarantee legal counsel for individuals in immigration proceedings. The bill directly affects immigrants in Massachusetts facing immigration enforcement and state agencies handling their cases. Key provisions include banning the disclosure of immigration status during routine interactions and requiring that legal representation be made available during immigration hearings. This legislation specifies concrete changes to reporting practices and access to legal assistance for affected individuals.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits sharing immigration status with federal authorities and guarantees legal counsel, directly protecting immigrants from enforcement cooperation and ensuring due process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 1122: An Act relative to immigration detention and collaboration agreements

S 1122 prohibits Massachusetts state and local law enforcement agencies from entering new agreements with federal immigration authorities regarding detention. It requires existing collaboration agreements to end, limiting state involvement in federal immigration enforcement. This directly affects police departments, sheriffs' offices, and detention facilities that previously shared information or resources with federal immigration enforcement. The bill changes Massachusetts' approach to immigration enforcement cooperation under the framework of state sovereignty.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state/local law enforcement from new/federal immigration detention agreements and ends existing ones, directly limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 1127: An Act ensuring access to equitable representation in immigration proceedings

S 1127 creates a state-funded Immigrant Legal Defense Fund to provide free legal representation for immigrants facing deportation in Massachusetts courts. It directly affects low-income immigrants who cannot afford attorneys during immigration proceedings. The bill establishes the fund through the Judiciary Committee, allocating state resources to cover legal services for eligible individuals. This replaces the current reliance on limited pro bono services with a dedicated, accessible resource. The policy change ensures equitable access to legal counsel in immigration cases, a key factor in fair judicial outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state budget funds for a new Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, increasing government spending on public legal services.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates state-funded legal defense fund for low-income immigrants facing deportation, directly providing services to protect rights and replace limited pro bono options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track