As if on cue, the sun broke through the clouds just in time for Wednesday’s rally, transforming a rainy morning into a moment of hope on the State House steps. On October 22nd at 11:30 AM, advocates, union leaders, legislators, and community members gathered to launch the Protecting Massachusetts Communities (PMC) campaign—a bold coalition effort to defend immigrant communities facing unprecedented threats from federal immigration enforcement.
A Coalition United in Purpose
The Protecting Massachusetts Communities coalition brings together organizations committed to advancing legislation that will protect immigrants in Massachusetts, maintaining the safety and prosperity of Massachusetts communities. Chaired by the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition and the Brazilian Workers Center, the coalition includes the ACLU of Massachusetts, SEIU State Council, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU 1199, SEIU 509, Massachusetts Teachers Association, and the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA).
Massachusetts is facing an unprecedented threat from the federal administration which is committed to the mass detention and deportation of immigrants, and a federal administration that is actively stripping away existing rights and privileges. The Commonwealth must urgently intervene to prevent the deportation of immigrants who live, work and pay taxes in Massachusetts.
Voices from the Rally
The event brought together a powerful lineup of speakers who shared both personal experiences and policy expertise:
Elizabeth Sweet from MIRA Coalition and Maroni Minter, also from MIRA Coalition, outlined the coalition’s vision and the urgent need for state-level protections.
Lenita Reason from the Brazilian Workers Center spoke to the experiences of immigrant workers who form the backbone of Massachusetts’ economy and communities.
One of the most moving moments came from Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a teenager from Milford who was detained by ICE earlier this year. Marcelo bravely shared his experience and spoke about what is happening in his community, putting a human face on the stakes of this fight. Listen to Marcelo here
Otoniel Figuerora from 32BJ SEIU represented the labor movement’s commitment to protecting immigrant workers who are essential to our economy.
Tom O’Brien from HYM Investments brought the business community’s perspective, speaking to both the economic harm caused by harmful immigration policies and enforcement, as well as the fundamental lack of ethics in current federal approaches.
Sana Haroon, a professor and member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, connected the dots between immigrant rights and the broader educational community.
Legislative champions Representative Manny Cruz, Representative Priscila Sousa, and Senator Sal DiDomenico reaffirmed their commitment to the coalition’s priorities. These leaders are among many more legislators who are cosponsoring legislation this campaign aims to formalize into state policy.
Priority Protections
The Protecting Massachusetts Communities coalition is jointly proposing a set of urgently needed priority reforms that we urge the legislature to adopt without delay.
Ban New 287(g) Agreements
In the last nine months, 287(g) agreements have increased from 135 in January to 1,098 as of October 20. These agreements prevent partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE that allow local police officers to become ICE agents. Collaboration between local police and ICE decreases the trust immigrants have in law enforcement to protect their safety or report crimes. We are calling for prohibiting local law enforcement from asking about immigration status, which sends a message to communities that they can and should trust their local police.
Pass the Immigrant Legal Defense Act (ILDA)
The Immigrant Legal Defense Act (ILDA) would create a funded statewide program to provide no-cost immigration legal defense to immigrants in Massachusetts who are at imminent risk of deportation, especially those held in federal immigration detention. Access to legal representation can make all the difference in deportation cases. Detained immigrants with a lawyer are 10 times more likely to win their case than those without. However, many immigrants face deportation proceedings without the support of an attorney.
Prohibit informal collaboration between local police and ICE
Prevent police asking about immigration status
Why This Matters Now
The threats facing Massachusetts immigrant communities are real and growing. ICE’s actions have escalated dramatically—ripping people off the streets, smashing out car windows in front of children, and beating people up. Even immigrants who went through the proper channels and have lived here legally for decades are being stripped of their legal status and deported.
Nearly 80% of those being detained by ICE in Massachusetts do not have a criminal record. Earlier this year, ICE forcibly detained a Tufts student on her way to class, a father on his way to church with his family, and a high school junior on his way to volleyball practice. Just 2 week’s ago ICE detained a 13 year old child from Everett, transporting him miles from family and support.
Using local law enforcement as an extension of ICE erodes trust and prevents residents from reporting actual crimes or emergencies. In places where local officials are seen to be agents of ICE, families do not feel safe calling the police, coming forward as a witness of a crime, or reporting domestic violence.
Massachusetts police have a job to do: keeping our communities safe by preventing and investigating crime. When our state and local police get involved in immigration raids and arrests, this only takes time and resources away from that mission.
Take Action Today
The launch rally was just the beginning. Now we need your voice to make these protections a reality.
Here’s how you can help:
- Send your legislator a letter urging them to support these critical reforms
- Learn more about the campaign and stay informed about upcoming actions
- Share this short video speaking to the true human impact of current enforcement policy with your networks and community
- Get involved by signing MIRA’s Petition To Protect Massachusetts Communities
Immigration is a federal issue, but Massachusetts has both the moral responsibility and the legal authority to protect our neighbors, coworkers, and community members. As the current federal administration pushes more local agencies into collaborating with ICE—with 287(g) agreements rising from 135 to more than 900 nationwide in just a few months—we cannot allow this to happen in Massachusetts.
The sun came out for Wednesday’s rally, and together, we can ensure it continues to shine on a Massachusetts that protects all its residents.To learn more about the Protecting Massachusetts Communities campaign, contact the MIRA Coalition or visit our website.