1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

Strengthen + Pass the People's PROTECT ACT! I’m writing because I support strong, tangible, meaningful immigration justice legislation passing this session. I am writing to urge the House and Senate to pass the strongest bill possible with the most tangible impact on immigrant communities. I support the provisions that the People’s PROTECT Act Platform have identified as key components we hope will make it to the final version in Conference Committee. (These are detailed below) It is important to me that we take strong action in protecting our immigrant neighbors Now, to the fullest extent possible. The federal administration is guilty of treason and complicit with actions straight from the nazi playbook. The budget and scale of their evil is too big for a few volunteers, orgs, or "good apples" in government to undermine and resist. We need each State to exert its full power, coalesce with other states, and nail down every single protection possible. The People's Protect Act is the every least we can do - I think we all know that. Not a single step is optional. We are done with "meet in the middle" compromise with extremists. We are done with oligarchs making millions of dollars through contracts with ICE and DHS. Human rights are never negotiable, and our People are not pawns in political games. I thank you in advance for doing the very least you can do: Establishing every single protection and support possible in the People's Protect Act!! Our Top Priorities House § 2 Guarantee due process protections for individuals held in immigration detention facilities in Massachusetts by ensuring that detainees (i) receive notice of their legal rights and resources, (ii) have confidential access to legal counsel, and (iii) are provided foreign-language interpretation and translation services. Require that a detainee’s legal counsel and the detainee’s designated point of contact receive timely notice of any transfer. House § 3 (b)(2)(iii): Prohibit law enforcement from using state or local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement actions. House § 6 Section 4(a): Adopt the House language requiring agencies to respond to U and T visa certification requests within 45 days. We would have preferred a 30-day deadline so that individuals facing the immediate threat of deportation can secure certification in time, but the 45-day requirement is the closer of the available options to that goal. Senate § 7 (b)(i)-(ii), (b)(iv)-(viii): Restrict law enforcement and the courts from inquiring about the immigration status or citizenship of any person. (e)(i): Direct the Attorney General to issue guidance providing for a process to submit complaints for any violations of the restriction barring law enforcement and the courts from inquiring about the immigration status or citizenship of any person. (c): Prohibit new 287(g) agreements without exception (i.e., without petitions for time-limited periods of cooperation). Senate § 12 Section 1: Prohibit warrantless civil immigration arrests in state and local courthouses, including the areas surrounding and associated with those courthouses—such as sidewalks, parking lots, and alleyways—by including courthouse curtilage in the definition of "courthouse" in the proposed Chapter 221D. Senate § 15 Section 7: Retain language to strengthen remedies available to individuals who do not receive a response to their U/T visa certification request within the statutory timeframe by directing the Attorney General to issue guidance providing for a process to submit complaints for violations of Chapter 258F. Additional Priorities House § 3 (d): Retain language clarifying that the § 3 prohibitions (barring law enforcement from using state or local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement, and barring law enforcement and courts from inquiring about an individual's immigration status) do not conflict with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 or 8 U.S.C. § 1644, thereby strengthening the legislation against federal challenge. Senate § 2 Prohibit warrantless civil immigration arrests in childcare programs. Senate § 3 Prohibit out-of-state National Guard personnel from entering Massachusetts without the Governor’s approval. Senate § 5 Prohibit warrantless civil immigration arrests in public and charter schools and special educational placements for children with disabilities. Senate § 6 Prohibit warrantless civil immigration arrests in health care settings, including, but not limited to, nursing homes and hospitals. Senate § 13 Prohibit civil immigration arrests during a religious service in any place of worship. Lastly, we have serious reservations about the following provision: Senate § 7(b)(iii) We are concerned that exempting law enforcement (including sheriffs' departments) and the courts from the prohibition on inquiring about a person's immigration status or citizenship when acting pursuant to a valid 287(g) agreement will undermine the effectiveness and intent of this section. This is clearly problematic, and must be remedied ASAP. Thanks to UU Mass Action for sharing scripts, which inspired this letter. Together, we're united for the People of Massachusetts.