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.
By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 260) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities conduct a study on the state of immigrant and refugee resettlement infrastructure in the Commonwealth. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 973) of Kelly A. Dooner for legislation to prohibit any financial incentives for landlords providing emergency housing for nonresident migrants. Housing.
By Representative Lombardo of Billerica, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2309) of Marc T. Lombardo for legislation to prohibit cities or towns from failing to enforce federal immigration laws by designating themselves as sanctuary cities and to withhold unrestricted general government aid to cities and towns for non-compliance. Municipalities and Regional Government.
By Representatives Cruz of Salem and Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2580) of Manny Cruz, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others relative to local and state law enforcement involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
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.
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.
S 1096, the SHIELD Act, requires state and local law enforcement agencies to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests. It directly affects police departments and jails that receive ICE requests to hold individuals. The bill mandates that officials detain people for up to 48 hours beyond their release date if ICE issues a valid request. This policy change shifts responsibility to local authorities to facilitate ICE custody without requiring federal charges.
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.
This bill requires immigration enforcement officers to allow legal counsel during interviews with immigrants. It directly affects non-citizens facing immigration enforcement actions, such as detentions or removal proceedings. The key provision mandates that individuals must have the option to consult with an attorney before answering questions during such investigations.
