Immigration (Enforcement)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 723: An Act to enhance the authority of courts to protect public safety

SD 723 allows Massachusetts court officers to temporarily detain individuals for up to 12 hours at ICE's request, provided a judge confirms specific public safety risks. It directly affects immigrants facing deportation who meet criteria like terrorism convictions, gang involvement, certain felonies, or serious crimes (e.g., domestic violence, drug trafficking). The bill requires judges to review ICE's written request and administrative warrant before granting detention and mandates written justification if denied. It also requires judges to consider ICE detainer requests when setting or adjusting bail, potentially delaying release pending federal action.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationAllows state courts to detain immigrants for ICE based on public safety claims, enabling federal enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1107: An Act relative to immigration detention and collaboration agreements

This bill prohibits Massachusetts state and local government agencies, including law enforcement departments and counties, from entering new agreements that allow federal immigration authorities to enforce immigration laws or detain individuals. Existing agreements must be terminated within 30 days for "collaboration agreements" (which involve sharing immigration enforcement) and 90 days for "detention agreements" (which involve holding people for immigration purposes). The Attorney General can sue violators to stop the agreements, and private citizens may also take legal action. The law directly affects all covered entities in Massachusetts that currently have such agreements with federal immigration authorities.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local agencies from collaborating with federal immigration enforcement, ending existing detention/collaboration agreements to limit immigrant detention and federal cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1457: An Act relative to the integrity of state data systems

This bill strengthens data privacy for Massachusetts state systems by clarifying which activities qualify as "criminal justice duties" and restricting data sharing. It prohibits state agencies from sharing motor vehicle records with federal agencies for civil immigration enforcement, except when a valid warrant is presented. The bill also blocks access to criminal offender records for non-criminal justice purposes, like civil enforcement, and requires federal agencies to certify their use of such data solely for criminal justice. These provisions directly affect state agencies managing data (like the motor vehicle registry) and federal entities seeking access to state databases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts non-criminal justice use of criminal records and protects civil rights, aligning with reform goals like data privacy and preventing misuse of justice systems.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state sharing of motor vehicle/criminal records with federal agencies for civil immigration enforcement, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration efforts.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly strengthens data privacy for state systems by restricting data sharing and blocking non-criminal justice access to records, directly advancing technology privacy policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3535: An Act relative to administering state and local agreements

This bill requires Massachusetts sheriffs, correctional facilities, and local law enforcement agencies to only perform federal immigration enforcement activities (under 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g)) if the federal government covers all costs, including employee compensation. It mandates that these entities maintain public records of such activities and submit annual reports to specific legislative committees, including the committees on ways and means and public safety. The law also defines key terms like "agreement" and "law enforcement agency" to clarify which state and local entities must comply.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts state enforcement of federal immigration policies by requiring federal cost coverage, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

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 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