1. No state or local law enforcement collaboration with ICE!

Governor Maura Healey stated in January that cooperation “[with ICE] by [her] administration through the state police, by others in local law enforcement, will continue.”

We demand that the Governor use her power as Massachusetts’ chief executive to prevent state police forces from collaborating in any way with ICE, including but not limited to providing criminal records to ICE. Trump is set to sign the Laken Riley Act into law. This will require ICE to arrest undocumented immigrants who are accused of even the most benign “crimes” such as shoplifting. For Massachusetts law enforcement to collaborate with ICE is to help facilitate a campaign of surveillance and terror against immigrant communities.

To this end, we also demand that Governor Healey use the full extent of her executive power to prevent city governments from collaborating with ICE. The Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), which allows the Boston city government to share huge amounts of surveillance information with ICE, should be ended.

2. Stop the racist demonization of immigrants!

Governor Maura Healey has on multiple occasions used racist language about immigrants, including the implication that our immigrant neighbors are “criminals,” and a strain on state resources. We see through the governor’s attempts to blame the cost of living, housing, and other crises on immigrants rather than providing real solutions that are fully within the state’s capacity.

This is a classic tactic of scapegoating a vulnerable group of people, and Healey is just as guilty of this heinous demonization campaign as Trump and his administration. We demand that the governor issue an official apology for perpetuating dangerous myths about immigrants and commit to fully funding social programs that will meet the needs of working people in Massachusetts. 

3. No new restrictions on housing assistance!

On January 15, Governor Maura Healey proposed changes to Massachusetts’ Right to Shelter Law, which since 1983 has guaranteed housing to homeless families and pregnant women. These changes will add more red tape for families who are seeking shelter, including proof of citizenship and residency requirements. This will make the process to receive shelter more difficult for everyone, regardless of their immigration status.

We not only demand that the Right to Shelter Law remain unchanged, but that Governor Healey use the full extent of her executive power over the Massachusetts state government to expand public housing such that every individual and family, regardless of immigration status, has access to a safe, clean, dignified place to live.

4. No ICE in Massachusetts public schools or other public institutions! 

The Trump Administration has rescinded policies protecting “sensitive locations” such as schools and churches from ICE raids. We demand that Governor Maura Healey use the extent of her executive power to prevent all state institutions and employees from collaborating with ICE.

For example, she should ensure that all Massachusetts schools are welcoming schools where all families can safely bring their children to learn, regardless of immigration status. This includes preventing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and other state institutions and employees, from coordinating with ICE, sharing information with ICE, or allowing ICE into school buildings.