Massachusetts Strengthens Immigrant Protections | Providence News

Providence News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 5, 2026 · 1m

Massachusetts is about to pass a landmark immigration enforcement bill that dramatically limits ICE’s power — building on an existing executive order — while facing a federal lawsuit over refusing to issue special license plates for ICE agents. The new law expands protections against warrantless arrests in critical public spaces like courthouses, schools, childcare centers, and hospitals, and empowers state and local officials to take on certain federal immigration duties. With an emergency preamble declaring it essential for public safety, the bill goes into effect immediately upon signing —…