February 5, 2021 GMT
BOSTON (AP) Democratic lawmakers announced Tuesday they’ll renew their push to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state, joining activists in saying the action is needed to ensure all residents can seek medical care, emergency aid, and court and police protection without fear of deportation, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Safe Communities Act would end state and local law enforcement involvement in deportations, including ending agreements that deputize sheriffs and correctional personnel as federal immigration agents, in order to identify people for possible deportation.
It would also bar law enforcement and court personnel from asking people about their immigration status and set limits for when those local officials can notify federal officials of someone’s impending release.
Lawmakers, activists renew push for sanctuary state bill Follow Us
Question of the Day By - Associated Press - Tuesday, February 2, 2021
BOSTON (AP) - Democratic lawmakers announced Tuesday they’ll renew their push to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state, joining activists in saying the action is needed to ensure all residents can seek medical care, emergency aid, and court and police protection without fear of deportation, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Safe Communities Act would end state and local law enforcement involvement in deportations, including ending agreements that deputize sheriffs and correctional personnel as federal immigration agents, in order to identify people for possible deportation.
Gov. Charlie Baker has said he s opposed to a statewide sanctuary law.
Published February 2, 2021 •
Updated on February 5, 2021 at 6:33 pm
DeAgostini/Getty Images, File
Immigrant activists and state lawmakers are renewing the push to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state. Supporters of the Safe Communities Act said Tuesday they’ll be resubmitting the proposal to the legislature again. The Safe Communities Act would prevent law enforcement and court personnel from asking a person about their immigration status, set limits for when they could notify ICE of someone’s impending release and end agreements that deputize local jail and prison personnel as federal immigration agents. The bill fell short of passage last year in the Democrat-controlled legislature. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has said he opposes it.
LETTER: Calling for more transparency atop Beacon Hill
Wicked Local
I’m a Swampscott High School student, and my future depends on the decisions my representatives make. Unfortunately, it s impossible for me to know what they’re doing.
You may be surprised to learn that Massachusetts has one of the least transparent legislative bodies in our country. In Massachusetts, the public cannot see how our representatives vote in committee on important issues. This means that when bills don’t get passed, constituents can’t see how or why they died. This occurs with many bills, even those with wide public support. Bills like the Safe Communities Act, 100% Renewable Energy by 2050, and bills relating to school funding are consistently voted down in congress, and we can’t do anything about it.
BOSTON â A coalition of public defenders from across the country is calling on the incoming Biden administration to adopt a 10-point immigration policy plan to reverse what they say are unjust, harmful, and destructive tactics used by the Trump administration.
The plan, announced at a virtual press conference Wednesday, includes redirecting funding away from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to legalization efforts, ending immigration detention practices, and establishing a federally funded universal representation program. Over 30 public defender organizations from 14 states signed onto the plan, including the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services, an organization that provides legal representation for those unable to afford an attorney.