Gov. Healey seeks to keep ICE out of courts, schools, hospitals, state buildings

Maura Healey is seeking to stop federal immigration enforcement agents from making arrests in courthouses, schools, hospitals, houses of worship and state buildings with new legislation filed Thursday. Chelsea Teachers Union President Kathryn Anderson speaks to immigration advocates outside the Massachusetts State House before going inside to demand the Legislature address ICE activity in the state. “We cannot wait for another empty desk or for tear gassing outside our schools before we take action,” Anderson said. Healey’s bill would ban civil immigration arrests without a judicial warrant inside courthouses, schools and child care programs, hospitals and medical facilities, churches and other religious houses of worship. ICE will not be able to use state property for staging of enforcement activity under the new executive order.