Governor Healey Signs PROTECT Act to Keep ICE out of Courthouses, Schools and Hospitals

CHELSEA – Governor Maura Healey today stood with immigrants, advocates, community leaders, law enforcement, teachers, nurses, doctors, clergy and elected officials at La Colaborativa in Chelsea to sign the PROTECT Act, landmark legislation that provides the strongest protections in the nation against the dangerous and illegal tactics of President Donald Trump and ICE. The bill keeps ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care centers, hospitals and health care facilities, while also providing stronger protections for parents in case they are detained or deported, banning new 287(g) agreements and allowing civil rights claims to be made against government officials, including ICE agents.

“Today, Massachusetts is standing up for what’s right and taking action to keep our people and our communities safe,” said Governor Healey. “The PROTECT Act is the strongest law in the country to protect people from ICE, because no one should be afraid to send their child to school, seek medical care or fear reporting a crime or appearing in court. It makes us all less safe. So we are getting ICE out of our courthouses, schools and hospitals. This bill is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of so many people across our state. We’re going to keep working together to make Massachusetts and this country the place we all want it to be.”

“This bill is about standing up for our immigrant communities, standing up for public safety, education and health care, and standing up for people’s rights and freedoms,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re grateful to our legislative partners and the many advocates who worked alongside us to strengthen public safety, protect families and reinforce trust between our communities and law enforcement.”

The PROTECT Act includes several key provisions proposed by Governor Healey earlier this year, including prohibiting warrantless immigrant arrests at courthouses, schools, child care centers, and health care facilities, including hospitals, community health centers and nursing homes. It allows parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in case they are detained or deported. It also codifies the Governor’s Executive Order by limiting civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state buildings, requiring multilingual guidance on immigration enforcement procedures and individual rights, and prohibiting any new 287(g) agreements with state agencies.

“Strong public safety requires strong partnerships with the communities we serve,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “The PROTECT Act helps preserve the trust that law enforcement, prosecutors and community organizations rely on to protect victims, investigate crimes and keep neighborhoods safe. When people feel safe, our Commonwealth is stronger.”

“As a superintendent and teacher, I’ve seen how deeply a child’s sense of safety and belonging shapes their ability to learn,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “The PROTECT Act helps ensure that early education programs and K-12

schools remain welcoming places where every child can feel safe, build confidence, and thrive. That sense of belonging is essential to educational opportunity and to the strength of our communities.”

“In my work as a clinician, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to maintain a safe, healing environment in our hospitals,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “Keeping ICE out of hospitals, as well as our courthouses and schools means we also keep fear out of these places. I am grateful to Governor Healey for her continued leadership protecting our immigrant communities from the cruel acts of the Trump Administration.”

The bill also defines state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement while expanding legal protections and due process for immigrants. It creates a new state law civil rights claim for government officials, including ICE agents, who violate someone’s federal constitutional rights. It also establishes new oversight, reporting, and notification requirements for correctional facilities, employers, and state agencies and strengthens protections for crime victims seeking immigration relief.

“With the Governor’s signature today, Massachusetts residents will have the strongest protections from President Trump’s weaponization of federal immigration authorities in the nation,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The abuses and infringements on constitutional rights we have seen in this country are reprehensible and un-American. This law is the culmination of our efforts to do everything in our state’s power to protect hardworking residents who have done nothing wrong and who contribute to the vibrancy of this state. I applaud Senator Friedman and Senator Payano for their work to reach this strong agreement, and I applaud the Governor’s signature on this bill.”

“Since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, ICE and Border Patrol agents have continued to harass and disappear innocent Americans with total impunity—a reckless approach that has led to the deaths of American citizens and legal residents, and to children being separated from their families. Those actions have immigrants in Massachusetts living in fear as they go to work or bring their children to school, and they jeopardize the trust that local law enforcement has worked hard to build,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “That’s why this legislation is so important, as it takes steps to ensure that all residents in Massachusetts are treated equally under state law, and to protect our communities through practical, thoughtful measures. I want to thank Governor Healey for signing these protections into law, as well as Chairman Cahill, Chairman Vargas, and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for working tirelessly to incorporate feedback from immigrant communities and law enforcement alike. Finally, I’m grateful to all my colleagues in the House, and to our partners in the Senate, for voting in favor of these critical reforms.”

“The PROTECT Act strengthens protections for our residents in the face of the aggressive tactics employed by ICE – tactics that do not enhance public safety and instead spread fear among families and our communities,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Legislature for enacting these critical protections into law. Immigrants are an essential part of our communities, workplaces, and economy, and we will continue to use every tool available to defend their rights.”

This legislation is a crucial piece of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s overall strategy to protect Massachusetts communities and stand up to the harm caused by President Trump and ICE. When Governor Healey first filed her legislation, she also signed an Executive Order prohibiting the state from entering into any new 287(g) agreements unless there is a public safety need, prohibiting ICE from making civil arrests in non-public areas of state facilities, and prohibiting the use of state property for immigration enforcement staging. She also issued statewide guidance for schools, child care providers, higher education campuses, health care facilities and places of worship regarding interactions with ICE agents.

Governor Healey also launched an online portal with Attorney General Campbell that allows Massachusetts residents to report alleged misconduct by ICE, opposed ICE flights at Hanscom Airport, called for an extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and other immigrants, and opposed new ICE Detention Centers in New England. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has also connected thousands of immigrants with legal services and provided robust multilingual resources for communities and employers.

“I fully support the PROTECT Act. Courthouses should be sanctuaries of safety for all who enter them. When ICE accesses courthouses it interferes with justice. Victims of crimes have the right to see justice on their behalf without the risk of themselves being apprehended and criminalized themselves. On the other hand, perpetrators of crime must face the consequences of their actions in a court of law. When ICE deports perpetrators before their day in court it not only absolves them of their actions without ever taking responsibility for their crimes but also allows them to exit the United States without a criminal record. Supporting the PROTECT Act not only provides protections for victims of crimes but also ensure perpetrators of crime are held responsible for their actions.”

“It is fitting that Massachusetts, the state that launched the American liberty movement, is now moving forward with an act that protects the liberty of its residents, particularly those in our immigrant communities, while balancing public safety and victim rights.  Our state sent a resounding message about liberty 250 years ago and we’re doing it again today.”

“The PROTECT Act provides necessary clarity and safeguards to ensure our laws reflect our commitment to immigrant communities, protection of individual rights and the guarantee that all residents are treated equally. In addition, this measure takes important steps to reduce the risk of dangerous confrontations in public spaces, particularly in and around our courts, which serve as the foundation of public safety. Increased federal civil immigration enforcement activity in and around our courthouses has made it more difficult to ensure that victims, witnesses and defendants can safely access the justice system and has disrupted access to justice. I applaud the Governor and the Legislature for their commitment to preserving the integrity of our courts and continuing to stand in support of immigrant families.”

“With the signing of the PROTECT Act today, Massachusetts reaffirms our values of respect, dignity, and justice for ALL our residents. I am so proud of the work we have done in our capacity as a state to protect the immigrants who play such a valuable role in our communities. The federal government’s indiscriminate acts of violence against our immigrant communities do not—and never will—make us better, safer, more prosperous, or stronger. We will not let fear and hatred change who we are or what we stand for. I applaud the Administration for the swift action in signing this legislation after extensive and deliberate work between the Legislature, the Attorney General’s office, advocates, law enforcement, and immigrant community partners to create some of the strongest immigrant protections in the nation.”

“The passage of the PROTECT Act reaffirms Massachusetts’ commitment to fairness, due process, and human dignity. No family should have to choose between taking a child to school, seeking medical care, or appearing in court because they are afraid. As someone who as a child immigrated from the Dominican Republic, I understand the importance of living in a state that honors the promise that hard work and contributing to your community should open doors, not close them. Today, we reaffirm that Massachusetts will continue to be a place where opportunity is built through hard work and where fear should never stand in the way of a brighter future.”

“I am a proud supporter of the PROTECT Act and it is an honor to see this landmark bill signed into law here in Chelsea, a beautiful city filled with people from all over the world, who I have the privilege of representing. This humane and righteous legislation demonstrates to every person in my district and in our state that our priority is to fight for the safety, freedoms and rights of all people, and that they will be treated with dignity and care. I want to thank Governor Healey for her leadership, as well as my colleagues and the advocates, especially my friends from the Black and Latino Caucus and La Colaborativa, who have worked tirelessly to get this essential policy over the finish line.”

“The PROTECT Act is the culmination of over 18 months of speaking to impacted families, advocates, and law enforcement, including Chiefs of Police and DAs. The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus wrote a bill that had bipartisan support and was constitutionally sound. That bill has found allies in every room across the State House. I would like to thank Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka and Governor Healey for their steadfast leadership in getting this done,” said Representative Andy Vargas of Haverhill. “Immigrants are the pillar of our country and Massachusetts will not allow our resources to drive them out. This law has earned praise from constituents, advocates, police chiefs and district attorneys alike. The PROTECT Act is the result of sound policymaking that is rooted in humanity, public safety, and common sense.”

“I am deeply grateful to Governor Healey for choosing Chelsea for the signing of the PROTECT Act. There could be no more meaningful place for this bill to become law. In Chelsea and communities across Massachusetts, immigrant families experienced the fear that brought the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus together to draft this legislation. Today, we affirm a simple principle: no one should have to choose between seeking justice and fearing deportation. As a House member, I am especially grateful to Speaker Mariano for the trust he placed in us to get this legislation right.”

“For decades, our organization has worked to ensure that immigrant families are treated with dignity and respect. After years of witnessing workers deprived of employment, families residing in fear, and children missing school because of immigration enforcement, the passage of this historic law is a testament to our Commonwealth’s commitment to upholding human rights and dignity for all. From the very beginning, La Colaborativa proudly supported the PROTECT Act because its purpose reflects the work we do every day: protecting families and ensuring that every person can go to school, seek medical care, report a crime, access the courts, and practice their faith without fear. We are proud to stand alongside this historic law and everyone who made it possible. For communities like ours that have experienced the devastating impact of immigration enforcement, this is a powerful step toward ensuring our families are safer, protected, and heard.”

“The signing of the PROTECT Act sends a clear and powerful message: everyone who calls Massachusetts home is part of the fabric of our Commonwealth and deserves dignity, safety, and equal protection under the law. By strengthening due process and protections at schools, childcare and healthcare settings, and state courts—and allowing parents to arrange guardianship in case of family separation—this law helps people safely access essential institutions while keeping local law enforcement focused on public safety. This is what happens when communities speak and government listens and delivers. On behalf of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Latino Empowerment, we thank Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, legislative leadership, and the advocates who made this possible. Massachusetts is strongest when everyone knows they belong, their rights matter, and their family will be treated with humanity.”

Dr. Geralde V. Gabeau, Founder and CEO, Immigrant Family Services Institute:
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Healey, the Legislature, advocates, and community leaders who stood together to make this moment possible. The PROTECT Act is an important step toward restoring trust, dignity, and hope. However, it does not end the threat facing immigrant families or replace the urgent need for federal action. We must continue fighting until every immigrant family can live, work, worship, learn, and contribute to our Commonwealth without fear.”

Lenita Reason, Executive Director, Brazilian Worker Center Inc., Protect Massachusetts Coalition Co-Chair:
“The Protect Act is a crucial step forward in ensuring safety, dignity, and basic rights for all immigrant families across Massachusetts. As Executive Director of the Brazilian Worker Center and co-chair of the Protect Act Coalition, I stand proudly alongside the Black & Latino Legislative Caucus in championing legislation that uplifts our communities and protects vulnerable families. Thank you, Governor Healey, for signing this vital bill into law.”

“Today marks a historic victory for our Commonwealth. The PROTECT Act becoming law solidifies a commitment to protecting immigrant communities, ensuring due process, and upholding fundamental civil rights. The crucial safeguards the PROTECT law provides by establishing legal accountability for federal overreach and ensuring local police do not act as immigration agents will keep our neighborhoods safe. Our schools, courthouses, and hospitals will once again become places of safety and trust. We are incredibly grateful to Governor Healey, Senate President Spilka and House Speaker Mariano, as well as all legislators and the countless advocates who fought tirelessly to deliver these vital protections for all our immigrant neighbors.”

“The Trump Administration is scapegoating immigrants to distract from Trump’s policies that empower and enrich corporations and the ultra-wealthy while making it harder for working class people to get by. Immigrants and refugees helped to build our nation, our state and our unions, and are essential to our past, present and future.  We are proud to count within our ranks thousands of immigrant workers across the Commonwealth, and we stand in unwavering solidarity with immigrant workers and their families who are scared to go to work, school, and the doctor.  The PROTECT Act takes important steps towards ensuring that our Commonwealth remains a safe place for people to go to work, and we thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration as well as House and Senate leadership for their work on this critical issue.”

Matt Bach, President, Massachusetts Teachers Association:

“The MTA proudly celebrates the signing of the PROTECT Act into law, a significant achievement made possible by the dedicated efforts of organizers, lawmakers, educators, families, and supporters across Massachusetts. While this milestone is important, our work is far from finished. We remain committed to ensuring that our immigrant students and their families feel safe and supported in our communities and public schools. Educators must have all of their students present and secure in class, ready to engage in the learning process. We look forward to collaborating with our partner organizations to continue Massachusetts’ leadership in protecting and empowering immigrant students.”

“Immigrant families are Massachusetts families. They’ve raised their kids here. They’ve gone to our public schools. As vital members of our local economies, immigrants have given back to our neighborhoods in immeasurable ways and are an integral part of what makes Massachusetts strong. They should be allowed to live in their communities, go to school, seek medical care, and take care of their families without fear. Educators are going above and beyond to reassure students and their families that schools and their surroundings are the safe spaces they are supposed to be and the PROTECT Act provides us with the resources and protections we need to strengthen these efforts. Today, the Commonwealth is a safer, stronger place for all, and we are proud to stand with Governor Healey, Senate President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, and all the elected leaders who made this law possible. Our work is not done, we must continue to do everything in our power to support those impacted by the reckless and inhumane campaign being waged by ICE in our communities.”

“Our most vulnerable patients must be certain they are safe from harm to feel comfortable seeking care and trusting their providers with sensitive medical and personal information. The PROTECT Act ensures the sacred relationship between patients and health care providers cannot be undermined by immigration enforcement activities. I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Legislature for prioritizing the integrity of our health care system, the health of patients, and the safety of our communities by enacting this pivotal bill into law.”

“Mass General Brigham is committed to providing safe, compassionate, and high-quality care when and where people need it. We are appreciative of Governor Healey’s efforts to ensure patients feel comfortable seeking care and to preserve trust in our healthcare system.”

“At a time when immigrants are facing tremendous uncertainty and increased barriers to accessing basic needs, it is critical for the Commonwealth to strengthen protections, prevent family separation and keep our immigrant neighbors safe. Today’s signing of the PROTECT Act by the Governor and the advocacy from all our elected officials shows our immigrant neighbors that they do not need to face these challenges alone and that their well-being and safety is inextricably linked to the health and strength of our communities.”

“CPCS is deeply grateful to the House, the Senate, and the Governor for their leadership in reaffirming a fundamental principle: constitutional rights, due process, and the rule of law do not depend on a person’s immigration status.”

“We have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that the loss of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has had on our communities. Families from Venezuela, Nepal, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Syria, and other countries are facing tremendous uncertainty, along with the heartbreaking threat of family separation. We recognize and deeply appreciate the countless individuals and organizations that have fought tirelessly to secure the passage of the Protect Act legislation. We also applaud the legislators and the Governor’s leadership for signing this important measure into law, providing greater protections for communities currently facing persecution and uncertainty here in Massachusetts. This is a meaningful step toward a more just, inclusive, and compassionate Commonwealth—one that upholds the dignity, safety, and humanity of all people.”

“Massachusetts has sent a powerful message to the Trump administration: We will not stand idly by while ICE agents tear apart families and shatter our communities. The PROTECT Act will help to establish a firewall between Massachusetts law enforcement and federal immigration officials, ensuring that local police are not co-opted by President Trump’s cruel political agenda. Importantly, the law will also support access to courts for everyone and bolster trust in local institutions. We applaud Governor Healey, Senate President Spilka, House Speaker Mariano, and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, among others, for their steadfast leadership and dedication. And we are deeply grateful to the many immigrant advocates who worked for years to make this day a reality.”

“Today marks a historic moment for Massachusetts. The PROTECT Act strengthens our commitment to justice, due process, and human dignity, bringing renewed hope and stronger protections for immigrant families during a time of uncertainty. I commend Governor Maura Healey, the Legislature, and the coalition of advocates, faith leaders, and community partners whose tireless work made this possible.”

“This is a shameful time for our country. ICE’s cruelty runs directly counter to the shared values of people of faith. I’m proud that, here in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey and our state legislature have said clearly that we will no longer enable ICE’s campaign of fear, tearing apart families and communities. Our sacred scriptures tell us that we must ‘welcome the stranger.’ This advice was good enough to have lasted for literally thousands of years, and it’s sound advice for us to follow now. I’m grateful that our elected officials agree and have made the PROTECT ACT the law in our Commonwealth.”

“For over 50 years, the Immigrants’ Assistance Center has stood alongside immigrant families, helping them overcome barriers and build secure, productive lives in Massachusetts. Every day, we witness the fear and uncertainty many families experience. The PROTECT Act provides important safeguards that help our clients feel safer accessing schools, health care, and other essential services while strengthening trust between immigrant communities and public institutions. We thank Governor Healey for her leadership and commitment to ensuring that Massachusetts remains a welcoming Commonwealth where all families are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.”

“Five members of DC 35 have been taken by ICE. Five of our coworkers, our neighbors, our families. Every one of them deserved to go to work, drop their kids at school, or see a doctor without fear of being hunted to fill a federal quota. The PROTECT Act affirms what should never have needed saying at all: our schools, our courthouses, and our workplaces are not hunting grounds. We thank Governor Healey for standing with immigrant families and refusing to look away. This was never about documentation. It is about whether we still treat each other as human beings. Massachusetts just answered yes.”

“In the face of unprecedented violence and attacks on immigrants, Massachusetts legislators and Governor Healey took action. The PROTECT Act ensures that the rights of all Massachusetts residents are protected under the Massachusetts Constitution and Massachusetts law. We at MLRI are especially gratified that this bill includes the I-9 provision introduced by Senator Lewis and Representatives Philips and Cruz. This provision protects the due process rights of immigrant workers by providing them with notice before ICE reviews their private I-9 documents. ICE has recently used the I-9 inspection process to access the private files of immigrants without their knowledge or a warrant, and the data in these files is often used as a precursor for arrests and raids. Since ICE is arresting lawful immigrants without regard or understanding of their status, immigrants are being arrested erroneously and in violation of their due process rights. By providing immigrants with notice before ICE gets involved, immigrant workers are able to prepare for an ICE enforcement action by speaking with an attorney, gathering key documentation, learning their rights, and providing guardianship for their children if necessary.”

“At Eastern Bank, we focus on doing good things to help all people prosper. This includes supporting our immigrant neighbors across Massachusetts and ensuring they can get to work, their children’s school, and the doctor’s office safely. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature for taking this important step to support our immigrant communities in today’s climate of uncertainty.”

“As nurses and healthcare professionals, our highest duty is to care for our patients without exception, and the passage of the PROTECT Act ensures that Massachusetts healthcare facilities remain safe havens of healing for all. For too long, the fear of immigration enforcement has forced vulnerable members of our community to suffer in silence, avoiding essential medical care out of fear of deportation. By shielding sensitive public spaces like hospitals and clinics from warrantless civil arrests, this law protects patient trust, removes barriers to care, and safeguards public health. We are proud to stand with other social justice advocates and lawmakers today to celebrate legislation that allows healthcare professionals to treat every patient with the dignity, safety, and security they deserve.”

“Every day, Children’s Advocacy Centers across Massachusetts help children who have experienced abuse, violence, or exploitation receive the protection, treatment, and support they need to begin healing. For that work to succeed, families must feel safe seeking help and participating in the investigative process. Trust is essential to protecting children. The PROTECT Act strengthens that trust by helping ensure families can report abuse, work with law enforcement, and access medical care, mental health services, and victim advocacy without unnecessary barriers. Across Massachusetts, we work together, Children’s Advocacy Centers, law enforcement, child protection professionals, prosecutors, medical providers, and victim advocates, to help abused children receive the best care possible. Laws that strengthen trust in these systems make that work more effective and help ensure that every child can access the services they need. Protecting children is a shared responsibility. When families are able to come forward, children are safer, multidisciplinary teams can do their work more effectively, and more children have the opportunity to heal.”

“M.A.S.S. extends our sincere gratitude to Governor Maura Healey and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for signing the Protect Act into law. At a time when school leaders are navigating increasingly complex challenges to ensure every student feels safe, welcomed, and able to learn, this legislation provides important clarity and reinforces the Commonwealth’s longstanding commitment to protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of children and families. Massachusetts superintendents are committed to creating school environments where every student can thrive. The Protect Act supports that work by providing a clear legal framework that helps districts carry out their responsibilities with confidence while maintaining strong partnerships with students, families, and communities. We are grateful to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the Legislature for their continued leadership and unwavering support of public education. M.A.S.S. looks forward to working collaboratively with the Administration and state agencies to ensure thoughtful implementation that supports school districts across the Commonwealth as they continue their vital work on behalf of Massachusetts students.”

“For the thousands of hotel, airport, and food service workers who keep Massachusetts running every single day, the passage of the PROTECT Act is a monumental victory for human dignity and workplace justice. We celebrate this milestone and thank Governor Healey, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, legislative leaders, and our dedicated coalition partners for getting this over the finish line. UNITE HERE Local 26 remains committed to ensuring that every worker can live, work, and raise their family free from fear.”

“Greater Boston Legal Services welcomes the enactment of the PROTECT Act. Every day, we work with clients who need to be able to seek legal help, appear in court, and access essential services without fear. The PROTECT Act strengthens due process and access to counsel while helping ensure that our legal system remains fair and accessible to everyone.”