Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4217: An Act empowering law enforcement to cooperate with the United States to transfer custody of convicted criminals

This bill allows Massachusetts law enforcement officers (like police, sheriffs, and state troopers) to temporarily hold non-citizens who meet specific criteria for up to 12 hours to transfer them to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It directly affects individuals convicted of certain serious crimes - such as domestic violence, drug trafficking, gang-related offenses, or violent felonies - as defined in the bill. Key provisions require ICE to provide a written request and warrant, a supervisory officer to verify public safety threats based on listed criteria, and a court to review the detention within 12 hours. The bill explicitly prohibits holding individuals for immigration purposes without these safeguards and ensures court records remain public.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement cooperation with ICE for transferring non-citizens convicted of serious crimes, increasing state-level immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4161: An Act relative to public safety, fiscal responsibility, and emergency assistance

This bill modifies Massachusetts law regarding immigration cooperation and emergency housing assistance. For public safety, it requires state/local law enforcement to detain certain individuals for up to 12 hours (with judicial review within that timeframe) when ICE requests custody for non-citizens convicted of specific serious offenses like terrorism, gang activity, or violent crimes. For emergency housing, it restricts eligibility to U.S. citizens or immigrants with 12 consecutive months of continuous Massachusetts residency, requiring specific documentation (e.g., tax returns, driver's license, utility bills) and prohibiting fraudulent applications. These changes directly affect immigrants seeking housing assistance and law enforcement agencies handling ICE requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates detention of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes (terrorism, violence) for public safety, strengthening law enforcement cooperation within criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts emergency housing eligibility to citizens/12+ month residents, limiting access to housing assistance per bill summary95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates detention for ICE custody requests on serious offenses and restricts emergency housing to citizens or long-term immigrants, increasing enforcement cooperation and limiting service access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

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 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

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 16, 2025

HD 4793: An Act facilitating assistance with Federal Operations Act

By Representative Lombardo of Billerica, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Marc T. Lombardo relative to civil immigration detainers and state and local law cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationFacilitates state cooperation with ICE on detainers, mandating enforcement assistance per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2573: An Act to enhance public safety

By Representative Boldyga of Southwick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2573) of Nicholas A. Boldyga for legislation to require mandatory cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by local and state law enforcement agencies. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, increasing state-level immigration enforcement per bill's requirement for mandatory cooperation with federal immigration authorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2575: An Act relative to administering state and local agreements

By Representative Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2575) of Antonio F. D. Cabral and Christine P. Barber relative to law enforcement agreements to enforce federal law. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates state/local law enforcement agreements to enforce federal immigration law, directly supporting federal enforcement efforts per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 2309: An Act relative to sanctuary cities and towns

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.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill prohibits sanctuary cities, mandates local enforcement of federal immigration laws, and withholds aid for non-compliance. This restricts local protections for immigrants and increases state-level enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1096: An Act supporting and honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawful detainments (SHIELD Act)

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.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates local law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers, requiring 48-hour holds beyond release dates, directly enabling federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track