House Democrats Reject Republican Immigration Detention Amendment
In a decisive vote on Tuesday, House Democrats overwhelmingly defeated a Republican proposal aimed at reforming a 2017 Supreme Judicial Court ruling that prevents Massachusetts law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on civil immigration violations. This debate emerged during discussions on the House’s $61 billion budget for the fiscal year 2026.
Republican Rep. Paul Frost from Auburn sponsored the amendment, which sought to enable local law enforcement to detain individuals wanted by federal immigration authorities for up to 12 hours after court proceedings. Frost argued that the current framework releases violent offenders back into the community, stating, “It’s unconscionable” to let such individuals go without accountability.
Conversely, Democratic Rep. Priscilla Sousa from Framingham countered that detaining individuals on civil immigration grounds would instill fear in undocumented communities, echoing her family’s experiences as immigrants from Brazil. She emphasized that such policies drive people deeper into the shadows, eroding trust in law enforcement.
The amendment failed by a significant margin, with a vote count of 25 to 131. It aimed to address criticism that the 2017 ruling creates “sanctuary” protections hindering federal immigration enforcement. The ruling stipulates that local authorities must release individuals after their court appearances, regardless of any federal civil immigration detainers.
Gov. Maura Healey’s administration has acknowledged the ruling as a pressing issue. Multiple Republican lawmakers are pursuing new legislation to amend it, drawing attention after high-profile arrests in state shelters.
As the debate continues, advocates for both sides remain steadfast, with calls for clarity on state laws concerning immigration enforcement lingering in the legislative air.
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