What is Being Done to our Neighbors Now

Both the Massachusetts House and the Senate have passed versions of “The Protect Act." The bills now go to a conference committee. The main provisions of the bill are:

The bill restricts cooperation and communication between state and local law enforcement and ICE and adds additional protections:

• Prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status, with narrow exceptions 

• Bars the use of state and local resources for civil immigration enforcement

• Limits the sharing of nonpublic information and advance release notifications by banning the initiation of contact with ICE

• Bans new 287(g) agreements (with very narrow exceptions), i.e., which deputize state and local law enforcement as ICE agents

• Limits civil arrests in courthouses by requiring a judicial warrant or order, and a review by a judicial official

• Requires that employers provide written notice to employees within 48 hours of receiving a federal immigration inspection notice, such as an I-9 audit

• Strengthens protections for individuals in ICE detention (i.e., requiring notice of legal rights in a person’s primary language at intake, guaranteeing confidential attorney-client communication, mandating the timely tracking of custody status and transfers with notice to counsel and designated contacts; providing interpretation services for key interactions and ensure access to court proceedings)

• Makes it easier for victims of crime and human trafficking ​to secure U and T visas, which provide a legal status that can lead to a green card 

• Authorizes the Governor to restrict civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state facilities, and requires multilingual guidance for agencies, private entities, law enforcement, and public school districts 

Those of us, including Diverse Holliston, who were part of advocating for this bill were delighted that it passed. We are expecting Governor Healy to sign it once it comes out of conference committee. 

However, since that brief celebration, ICE has found other ways to create fear and intimidation for our immigrant neighbors. Things have gone from bad to worse. 

Most immigrants in Massachusetts are here to apply for asylum, as a path to become permanent residents and eventually citizenship. However, due to various actions by the current federal administration, even the most liberal of immigration courts, our own court in Boston, only grants asylum in 10% of cases. Our neighbors have to spend an average of $8,000 dollars for an attorney to get them through the process. What do we say to them when their applications are denied? 

The federal government has also changed tactics and are engaged in something advocates are calling “the squeeze.” Essentially, they are doing everything they can to make life harder for our immigrant neighbors. There are, of course, all the fees for the court filings and now they have begun charging 100 dollars per year for those here waiting for asylum. When those bills arrive, they have 30 days to pay or an order for their deportation will be served. And, of course, with ICE in our neighborhoods kidnapping immigrants, just working to support their families is a challenge. ICE requires them to report in regularly either in person or from their phones, and missing a single appointment can result in deportation, which also disrupts their work lives. And the new tactic is to summon large numbers, about 100,  of our neighbors to meetings in Boston with a few weeks’ notice. At these meetings, a roll call is taken. If you fail to hear your name, or if it is mispronounced and you do not recognize it, or if for some reason you cannot get there, an order of deportation is immediately issued.  The goal is to deport as many people as possible or to make life so uncomfortable for them that they self-deport. 

The decisions about returning to their home countries are incredibly difficult. Many families include a partner or children who are citizens. The children have often never been to the country their parents come from. They are in school here and have friends. The families have built lives here. Does one parent leave and one stay with the children? Should they leave their children in the care of other people so that they can finish their schooling? How will whoever returns to their country of origin support themselves? If they split up, how will the remaining parent manage both work and childcare?

CASA de Trabajadores, or just CASA, is an immigrant-led non-profit in Framingham. They provide immigrants with all kinds of support.  Their main focus is to provide legal assistance, but they also provide food for families in Framingham, Milford and Marlboro. They provide transportation to school for children in Framingham who do not have bus transportation and whose parents cannot transport them for a variety of reasons. They accompany family members to court, to medical appointments and to other appointments to help them navigate systems and to bear witness if they are detained so family members know what has happened and where they are. CASA also works with LUCE to watch for ICE in our neighborhoods and to follow up with families when our neighbors are kidnapped. 

All of this work is accomplished with the help of CASA Allies, a group of local residents who volunteer because they want their neighbors to know that we care about them and support them. 

If you want to hear about volunteer opportunities, send an email to volunteerteam@mwc-casa.org. Someone will be in touch to describe the opportunities and what is required. 

If you are able to support CASA financially, go to their website https://www.mwc-casa.org/donate.html