1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

As my partner is an immigrant (and a citizen) I’m writing to request your strong support and co-sponsorship of the Safe Communities Act and the Immigrant Legal Defense Act to ensure due process for our current immigrants. Last month alone, ICE detained nearly 1,500 people in Massachusetts — longtime residents, workers, taxpayers, parents, and neighbors who contribute deeply to our communities. As the federal government escalates detention and deportation, Massachusetts must take action to ensure due process and community trust. The Safe Communities Act (S.1681 / H.2580) would limit voluntary police and court involvement in federal immigration matters, so immigrant victims of crime or exploitation can seek help without fear of immigration consequences. The Immigrant Legal Defense Act (S.1127 / H.1954) would create a statewide program to provide legal representation to immigrants facing deportation who cannot afford a lawyer. There is no right to a government-paid attorney in immigration court, leaving many immigrants to navigate a complex legal system alone. I strongly support these bills and ask you to join the growing number of legislators who have already signed on as co-sponsors. If you've already cosponsored these bills, please let me know what you are doing to advance these bills to passage.