Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation Wednesday restricting where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents can conduct enforcement activities, barring access to schools, daycares, hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes and courthouses while allowing parents facing detention or deportation to arrange guardianship for their children in advance.
Healey signed the Protect Act during a ceremony in Chelsea, describing it as the strongest state law of its kind. She said the measure was prompted by growing fear among immigrant communities, arguing that ICE enforcement has discouraged children from attending school, patients from seeking medical care and witnesses or victims from appearing in court.
