Immigration

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 1717: 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 ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill studies resettlement agencies' role in immigrant integration, supporting service enhancement without direct funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 369: An Act extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 512) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to extend voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth. Election Laws.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExtends voting rights to noncitizens, advancing immigrant civic integration and rights at municipal level.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2057: An Act ensuring access to equitable representation in immigration proceedings

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1127) of Adam Gomez, Robyn K. Kennedy, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly and other members of the General Court for legislation to ensure access to equitable representation in immigration proceedings by creating the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates Immigrant Legal Defense Fund to ensure equitable legal representation in immigration proceedings, directly advancing immigrant rights access and protections.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2077: An Act supporting and honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawful detainments (SHIELD Act)

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1096) of Ryan C. Fattman, Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to support and honor detention requests by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state cooperation with ICE detentions, directly supporting federal enforcement actions per bill title and summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1208: An Act relative to affirming and maintaining equal access to public education for all children

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 436) of Pavel M. Payano, Sal N. DiDomenico, Jason M. Lewis, Vanna Howard and others for legislation to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for English learners. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly affirms equal access to public education for English learners, directly supporting educational access expansion without restrictions or funding cuts.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnsures equal education access for English learners, a key service benefiting immigrant children and aligning with immigrant integration support.75% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1670: An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1681) of James B. Eldridge, Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Robyn K. Kennedy and other members of the Senate for legislation to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly aims to protect civil rights, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like enhanced police accountability and civil rights protection.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill protects civil rights/safety of 'all Massachusetts residents,' implying inclusion of immigrants. Focus on civil rights aligns with indicators for supporting immigrant protections without explicit enforcement restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4222: An Act to enhance the authority of courts to protect public safety

HD 4222 allows Massachusetts court officers to detain non-citizens for up to 12 hours at the direction of a judicial officer, specifically when ICE provides a written request and an arrest warrant, and the judicial officer determines the person poses a public safety threat based on specific criminal convictions. It directly affects court officers, judicial officers, and non-citizens with certain prior convictions (e.g., terrorism, gang-related offenses, violent crimes, or specific felonies). The bill requires judicial officers to document reasons for denying ICE requests and maintains these records publicly, while also requiring judges to consider ICE detainer requests when setting bail. It does not create new immigration enforcement powers but modifies court procedures for handling ICE requests related to public safety. The bill focuses on concrete procedural changes within existing legal frameworks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands detention authority for non-citizens with specific convictions, increasing enforcement powers rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates state court cooperation with ICE by allowing 12-hour detentions of non-citizens with specific criminal convictions, directly increasing state-level immigration enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3816: 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 protects civil rights by restricting immigration inquiries during law enforcement interactions and banning automatic DHS notifications, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing over-policing and enhancing community safety.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from asking about immigration status and restricts cooperation with federal enforcement, protecting immigrant rights and safety.95% confidence

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

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 629: 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, which limit state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, aligning with protective immigration policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4221: An Act to promote and protect safety in the Commonwealth

HD 4221 requires Massachusetts law enforcement officers and court personnel to hold individuals for up to 36 hours when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provides a written request for detention, mandating that the person receive a copy of the request. It also directs judges to consider ICE detainer requests when setting or modifying bail for people in custody, specifically if ICE has a written request and an administrative warrant for removal exists. The bill directly affects individuals in state custody with active ICE requests, law enforcement officers, and judges handling bail hearings. Key provisions establish a 36-hour detention window for ICE transfers and require judges to factor ICE requests into bail decisions under Chapter 276.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement cooperation with ICE detainers and requires judges to consider ICE requests for bail, increasing state-level immigration enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track