Governor Maura Healey Signs PROTECT Act Limiting ICE Operations

Governor Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act on August 5, 2026, establishing expansive legal protections for immigrants and limiting state cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The law prohibits warrantless civil immigration arrests at courthouses, public schools, childcare centers, healthcare facilities, and houses of worship. It also bars state and local law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status and prohibits new 287(g) agreements with federal agencies.

The legislation creates a new state civil rights claim, allowing individuals to sue officials, including ICE agents, for constitutional violations. Additionally, the act enables parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in the event of detention or deportation. Healey characterized the law as a public safety measure intended to ensure residents can access essential services without fear, specifically opposing what she described as the "hateful and racist agenda" of Donald Trump and Stephen Miller.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security opposed the measure, stating that sanctuary politicians are prioritizing politics over public safety and that such policies hinder the apprehension of criminals. While the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Medical Society praised the law as a necessary safeguard, the Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform criticized it as an ill-advised measure that protects criminals.