Immigrants’ Rights Coalition Applauds House Passage of PROTECT ACT

BOSTON — The Massachusetts House of Representatives today passed its version of the PROTECT Act. The bill would establish important limits on state and local collaboration with ICE

Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, and Lenita Reason, executive director of the Brazilian Workers Center, issued the following joint statement on behalf of the Protecting Massachusetts Communities Coalition:

“Today’s overwhelming vote by the House of Representatives is a crucial step to ensure Massachusetts establishes meaningful protections against the violent, unlawful actions of ICE. We are sick of watching ICE rampage through our communities, tearing apart families, friends, and neighbors and upending our economy and workforce. Over the past months, members of the public have said clearly to state officials: Don’t collaborate with ICE, and don’t let our local police become ICE agents. We thank Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, Rep. Vargas, Leader Gonzalez, Chair Cahill, the Black and Latino caucus, and all supporting members for swiftly advancing this bill. We look forward to working with our partners in the Senate and Governor Healey to protect Massachusetts with the strongest possible safeguards against this rogue federal agency.”

Protecting Massachusetts Communities (PMC) Coalition works to advance legislation and policy to protect immigrants. PMC is chaired by the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition and the Brazilian Workers Center, and includes the ACLU of Massachusetts, SEIU State Council, SEIU 32BJ, 1199 SEIU, SEIU 509, Massachusetts Teachers Association, and the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA).