AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL • IRIS
Massachusetts Legislature Passes Immigrant Rights Package

Policy ID

MA-LA-2026-8-5
State Response
Statewide
Legislative Action

Short Description

The Massachusetts Legislature passed a package of immigrant protection policies, the PROTECT Act, that includes: (1) prohibiting new 287(g) agreements, (2) allowing the governor to prohibit enforcement in nonpublic areas of any state entity, (3) requiring multilingual guidance to all state agencies on how to handle civil immigration enforcement interactions, (4) protecting against civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, (5) creating pathways for individuals to sue law enforcement agents over alleged rights violations, (6) allowing parents facing possible detention or deportation to arrange for future guardianship of children, and more.

Date Adopted

08/05/2026

References

See Also

Amherst, MA Town Manager Issues Guidance for Local Response to Federal Immigration Enforcement

03/03/2026
Amherst
Executive Order
MA

Boston Mayor Restricts ICE Use of Public Property and Promote Transparency

02/05/2026
Boston
Executive Order
MA

Mayors of Greater Boston Communities Issue Orders Barring ICE from Using City Property

02/05/2026
Boston
Executive Order
MA