MA Governor Aims To Bar ICE From Schools, Hospitals, Churches, Courthouses With New Order

MASSACHUSETTS — Gov. Maura Healey said a new executive order designed to "protect against ICE activity in sensitive locations" will bar federal immigration agents from schools, hospitals, churches and courthouses across the state.

She said on Thursday that the order would also allow parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in case they are detained, and make it illegal for National Guard soldiers from other states to be deployed within Massachusetts without the governor's permission.

"In Massachusetts and across the country, we continue to see unlawful and unconstitutional actions by ICE that are meant to intimidate and instill fear in our communities, including against United States citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights," Healey said. "This puts people at risk and in harm's way, and I find it necessary in the interest of public safety to take this action today."

Healey said her legislation would restore the longstanding protections against arrests by ICE agents in "essential spaces where families, children, and vulnerable people should feel safe," at a time when the Trump Administration is giving agents what she called "unbridled power" to take action and make arrests.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy said Healey's actions make Massachusetts into a "sanctuary state."

"If Governor Healey wants to keep ICE agents off our streets, the only way to achieve that is by being a responsible partner," he said in a rebuttal statement. "Honor ICE detainers for (arresting) criminal illegal immigrants, and when a criminal illegal immigrant is arrested by state law enforcement, work with federal authorities to transfer custody safely and securely through our law-enforcement agencies."

Healey said ICE activity in courthouses has resulted in the dismissal of charges against suspects because witnesses and victims are afraid to go to court to testify, and that school enrollment has "declined dramatically" in districts with high immigrant students.

Healey said her legislation would prohibit elementary, middle and high schools, as well as licensed child care programs and after-school programs, from allowing an ICE or immigration agent to enter
the premises without a judicial warrant. Schools, child care programs, and after-school programs will also be required to adopt and implement their own policies on how to interact with or respond to
requests from ICE agents.

The order would prohibit hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and substance use disorder programs from granting ICE access to nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant. These facilities will also be required to issue policies on how their staff and volunteers should interact with or respond to requests from ICE.

"In Massachusetts, no one should have to hesitate to seek essential or life-saving medical treatment because they fear detention, deportation, or being separated from their families," her statement said.

More on Patch:

• Moulton Compares ICE Shooting To Boston Massacre, Calls For Prosecution
• US Rep. Moulton's 'NOEM Act' Would Allow ICE Officers To Be Sued

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)