Push to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state, end state and local law enforcement involvement in deportations, renewed by Democratic lawmakers
Updated Feb 03, 2021;
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 allow local jails and prisons to house federal immigration detainees.
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.
By Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
February 3, 2021
Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
Rep. Liz Miranda, shown with Mayor Walsh in 2018, is the co-sponsor of the Safe Communities legislation that was re-filed this week.
State lawmakers and advocates called for the swift passage of legislation that would limit cooperation between local police and federal immigration officials during a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
The Safe Communities Act is co-sponsored by Rep. Liz Miranda of the Fifth Suffolk district, which includes parts of Dorchester and Roxbury. She re-filed the bill this week along with Senator Jamie Eldridge (D- Acton) and Rep. Ruth Balser (D-Newton).
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.
A patient receives the Pfizer vaccine as the ballpark is opened as a COVID-19 public vaccination site on January 29, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
Getting COVID-19 vaccine shots into the arms of nearly 6 million adult residents will be one of the greatest public health challenges Massachusetts ever attempts. And it’s a challenge we risk failing, if our health institutions don’t convince skeptical minority communities of the urgency and benefits of being inoculated.
As the former executive director of the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants and as a Latina entrepreneur from Puerto Rico, I have worked closely with multicultural communities across the state listening to their unique needs for years. It’s even more critical we listen closely during this crisis.