Massachusetts House Passes Protect Act 134-21, Barring Warrantless Courthouse Immigration Arrests

BOSTON -- March 25, 2026, The Massachusetts House passed the Protect Act 134-21 Wednesday, barring warrantless ICE arrests in state courthouses and prohibiting state and local agencies from participating in civil immigration enforcement. House Bill 5305, formally titled "An Act Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust, and Equal Constitutional Treatment," advanced after floor debate led by Public Safety Committee Chair Daniel Cahill of Lynn, who cited at least 614 courthouse civil detainer arrests by ICE in 2025 and 137 already in 2026, citing a same-day letter from the state's chief trial court justice. Four amendments were adopted, including one by Representative Sean Reid of Lynn protecting school grounds from ICE activity, which passed 135-18, and one by Representative Adrianne Pusateri Ramos of North Andover requiring expedited 14-day U visa certification for aging-out family members, which passed 150-3. Representative Andres X. Vargas of Haverhill, who co-chaired the Black and Latino Caucus task force that shaped the bill, called it "a genuine law" built to "withstand those who will try to tear it down." The bill now advances to the Senate.