Gov. Healey Signs Massachusetts PROTECT Act, Barring Warrantless ICE Arrests at Schools, Hospitals, and Courthouses

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act on August 5, 2026 at a ceremony at La Colaborativa in Chelsea, enacting what she called 'the strongest law in the country' restricting ICE. The law bars warrantless civil immigration arrests at schools, childcare centers, hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and courthouses absent a judicial warrant; codifies an earlier executive order limiting civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state buildings; requires multilingual guidance on enforcement procedures and individual rights; allows parents to pre-arrange guardianship for children in case of detention or deportation; and bars any new 287(g) agreements with state agencies. Healey said fear of ICE had kept Chelsea schoolchildren home and deterred residents from seeking medical care or testifying in court. A DHS spokesperson countered that the law would force ICE to maintain 'a more visible presence' to make arrests, noting that 'seven of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE.' The signing came as ICE detained a record 46,000+ people nationwide in July 2026 alone.