The People’s PROTECT Act Platform is a set of three priorities supported by over 75 grassroots organizations in MA, centering organizations most impacted by immigration policy, calling for the strongest possible immigration legislation this session. In the winter, the House has passed their version of the PROTECT Action aiming to protect our immigrant communities. While the House’s version of the PROTECT Act is an important step in the right direction for immigration legislation in MA, there are critical ways that it can be stronger.

The Senate version was released on April 30. While there are some provisions around police-ICE collaboration that we see as progress, the key components of our platform are still not included. We have filed amendments aligned with our platform we will be advocating in the lead up until the vote on May 7. We will continue to do  everything in our power to advocate for the strongest provisions in the senate version and beyond. See below for the original and updated versions of the platform.  

This platform is authored and supported by a large coalition of organizations, and while this is hosted on the LUCE site, LUCE is just one of many of the supporters. Click here to see the authoring and supporting organizations.

What is the People’s Protect Act?

We are supporting two key amendments:

• Amendment #10 ICE OUT OF COURTS: Extends courthouse protections against ICE to areas surrounding and associated with the courthouse, such as sidewalks, parking lots and alley ways.

• Amendment #11 PROTECT IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF CRIME AND TRAFFICKING: Helps immigrant victims get faster decisions on certifications they need to apply for immigration relief, especially if they’re facing deportation, and makes clear they can get legal support.

Below is the Original 3 Point Platform we are advocating for to strengthen the PROTECT Act through the Senate Version (which has yet to be filed):

• End Local Law Enforcement Collaboration with ICE 

  • Prohibit Information Sharing with ICE

  • Ban all 287(G) Contracts in MA

  • End Fusion Centers 

• Expand Optional Virtual Court Access

• Improve the U/T Visa Certification Process For Survivors: The Senate version was released on April 30. While there are some provisions around police-ICE collaboration that we see as progress, the key components of our platform are still not included. We have filed amendments aligned with our platform we will be advocating in the lead up until the vote on May 7. We will continue to do everything in our power to advocate for the strongest provisions in the senate version and beyond. See below for the original and updated versions of the platform.

What we can do to take action?

• CALL YOUR SENATORS

  • Use the Action Toolkit & the Call your Senators resources below

• We will host a Power Hour on Wednesday, May 6 @ 12pm (RSVP) to take action together. 

• Join us Thursday at the State House at 9:30am for singing and chanting with BVOCAL to support these amendments. RSVP here!