Gov. Healey to sign PROTECT Act expanding immigrant protections

CHELSEA, Mass. — Gov. Maura Healey is expected to sign the PROTECT Act later this morning in Chelsea, legislation supporters say will provide some of the strongest protections in the nation for immigrants while limiting where federal immigration enforcement can take place in Massachusetts.

The legislation is designed to expand protections against what supporters describe as abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

If signed into law, the bill would change how local law enforcement interacts with immigration enforcement in several key ways.

If signed, police officers would not be allowed to ask about a person’s immigration status during a routine traffic stop or other non-criminal encounter unless it is directly related to a criminal investigation.

The legislation also prohibits civil immigration arrests without a judicial warrant at public schools, daycares, hospitals, courthouses and doctors’ offices.

In addition, the bill would recognize pre-arranged guardianship plans for children if parents are detained or deported, helping ensure parental rights are not automatically terminated because of an immigration-related detention.

The bill also includes new workplace notification requirements. If an employer receives a Notice of Inspection from ICE to verify employment eligibility records, workers must be notified at least 48 hours before the inspection.

The PROTECT Act has been under negotiation for the past two months. Gov. Healey is scheduled to sign the legislation during a ceremony in Chelsea at 9 a.m.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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