Massachusetts
A high-level overview of immigration enforcement activity, school protection policies, and resources for families and educators in Massachusetts.
Overview
State context
Massachusetts has strong state-level protections. The Massachusetts Trust Act limits cooperation between state and local law enforcement and ICE. Several major school districts, including Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Lawrence, have adopted formal protective policies. The state has been consistently supportive of immigrant communities at the governmental level.
ICE activity
ICE is active in Massachusetts, with operations in the Boston metro area, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, and other communities with large immigrant populations. The 2007 New Bedford factory raid, before the Trust Act, affected hundreds of families with school-age children. Current enforcement occurs but faces non-cooperation from local law enforcement.
School policies
Boston Public Schools has a formal policy requiring a judicial warrant before immigration officers can access non-public areas or student information. Cambridge, Somerville, and other districts have adopted similar language. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has issued guidance encouraging all districts to adopt protective policies.
Notes for advocates
Massachusetts has one of the strongest advocacy ecosystems for immigrant school protections in the country. Lawrence, with a population that is over 75% Latino, has been particularly affected by enforcement operations. New Bedford has a large Guatemalan community. Chelsea schools serve a predominantly immigrant student population. The state's universities and legal community provide significant support to immigrant advocacy.
Is your district protected?
Find out whether your school district has a warrant-based policy in place, and what you can do if it doesn't.