Immigration

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

S 143: 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, directly aligning with support indicators for integration services and new arrivals' successful settlement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Refugees & Asylum

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 13, 2026

S 1776: An Act empowering law enforcement to cooperate with the United States to transfer custody of convicted criminals

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1776) of Bruce E. Tarr, Hannah Kane and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to empower law enforcement to cooperate with the United States to transfer custody of convicted criminals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates state law enforcement cooperation with federal authorities for transferring custody of convicted criminals, aligning with federal immigration enforcement efforts.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 211: An Act relative to the eligibility of emergency housing assistance

This bill (HD 211) changes eligibility rules for Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program. It explicitly restricts the program to only residents of Massachusetts who are U.S. citizens, removing previous eligibility for non-citizen residents. The key mechanism is an amendment to Chapter 23B of the General Laws, adding a specific requirement that the program "shall be available only to residents... who are citizens of the United States." This directly affects non-citizen residents who previously qualified for emergency housing aid under the program.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts emergency housing assistance to U.S. citizens only, removing eligibility for non-citizens, directly limiting housing assistance access.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts emergency housing assistance to U.S. citizens only, excluding non-citizens from state services per amended Chapter 23B.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 261: An Act relative to instate tuition

This bill changes Massachusetts' in-state tuition eligibility rules for public colleges. It states that non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents (under federal immigration law) are no longer eligible for in-state tuition rates. The law defines "resident of the commonwealth" as requiring U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status, as specified in federal law. It also includes a specific exception for students attending the Massachusetts Maritime Academy who reside in states designated as part of the regional maritime academy region. The change directly affects undocumented immigrants and non-permanent residents seeking in-state tuition at public higher education institutions.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts in-state tuition access for non-citizens/non-permanent residents, limiting educational access for eligible students in higher education.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts in-state tuition access for non-citizens/non-permanent residents, limiting immigrant access to state education services per federal immigration status requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 259: An Act relative to emergency housing assistance eligibility requirements

HD 259 amends Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program to restrict eligibility exclusively to U.S. citizens. The bill adds a provision stating that the program "shall be available only to residents of the commonwealth who are citizens of the United States," overriding any existing laws or regulations that might have allowed non-citizens to qualify. This change directly affects non-citizen residents who previously might have accessed emergency housing aid. The policy shift eliminates eligibility for non-citizen residents under this specific assistance program.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts emergency housing aid to U.S. citizens only, eliminating non-citizen eligibility and reducing program accessibility.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts emergency housing assistance to U.S. citizens only, eliminating non-citizen access to state services per bill summary.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 263: An Act relative to sanctuary cities and towns

HD 263 requires Massachusetts cities and towns to allow local officials to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits local governments from banning employees from asking about immigration status of detained individuals, sharing that information with federal authorities, assisting immigration officers, or blocking federal officers from entering local facilities. If a town fails to comply, the Attorney General can sue, and the state will reduce its unrestricted government aid payments by $2,000-$15,000 per day based on the town's population. This bill directly affects all Massachusetts municipalities by overriding existing "sanctuary" policies that limit immigration cooperation. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibiting sanctuary policies and requiring sharing of immigration status information with authorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 260: An Act relative to the utilization of the systematic alien verification for entitlements program by the Commonwealth

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to verify applicants' immigration status before providing certain benefits. It mandates that departments administering transitional assistance, housing programs for low-income families, WIC, and MassHealth register for and use the federal SAVES program to confirm applicants are U.S. citizens or "lawfully present aliens." The key provision adds specific verification steps to existing laws for each program, requiring agencies to check eligibility through this federal system prior to disbursing benefits. This directly affects individuals applying for these state-funded programs who must prove their immigration status under the new requirement.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill mandates immigration verification for housing programs, potentially restricting access to low-income housing benefits for non-citizens, opposing affordable housing access.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates immigration status verification for state benefits, restricting access to services like MassHealth and housing assistance for non-citizens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 310: An Act relative to professional licensure and citizenship

HD 310 allows certain license applicants to use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or another approved identity document instead of a Social Security number. It directly affects individuals seeking occupational licenses under the Division of Occupational Licensure (e.g., for trades, cosmetology) or the Department of Public Health (e.g., healthcare professions). The bill amends two sections of the General Laws to remove the mandatory Social Security number requirement for these applications. Licensing boards will determine acceptable alternative identity documents, making the process more accessible for applicants without Social Security numbers.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill removes mandatory SSN requirement for occupational licenses, allowing ITIN use. This facilitates immigrant access to licensed professions, supporting workforce integration and service access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 765: An Act extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the Commonwealth

HD 765 would allow noncitizens with legal immigration status (18+ years old) to vote in local municipal elections, such as for mayor, school committees, or town council. To register, noncitizens must submit a special form declaring residency, and election officials must notify them within 5 days about their voting rights (limited to local elections) and limitations (no voting for federal/state offices or initiatives). The bill requires the state secretary to issue this registration form and regulations, distributing it like citizen forms, and noncitizens must maintain residency in one municipality to retain voting rights. It explicitly prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal, state, or initiative elections.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExtends voting rights to legal noncitizen residents in local elections, advancing immigrant integration and community participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 871: An Act relative to maintaining equal access to public education for all children in the Commonwealth

This bill (HD 871) strengthens equal access to Massachusetts public education for English learner students and their families. It directly affects schools, students, and parents by adding "immigration or citizenship status" to anti-discrimination protections, requiring qualified bilingual interpreters with specialized training, and mandating that student evaluations and assessments be conducted in the student's native language. The bill also prohibits schools from pressuring parents to decline English learner services for scheduling reasons and ensures IEP teams include experts on language acquisition when evaluating students with both language needs and disabilities. Key mechanisms include updated assessment requirements, interpreter standards, and explicit protections against coercive practices by school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens equal access for English learners by adding anti-discrimination protections, requiring bilingual interpreters, and mandating native-language assessments - directly advancing educational access and equity.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAdds 'immigration status' to anti-discrimination protections, mandates language access for immigrant students, and prohibits school pressure on parents regarding services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment Citizenship & Naturalization

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