We have all seen the documented cruelty and lawlessness of ICE agents terrorizing communities, bullying innocent bystanders and protesters, and rounding up people indiscriminately (aka kidnapping). We’ve even seen them shoot people in cold blood. This is happening in every state, including ours. Massachusetts residents don’t support ICE and their white nationalist mission — ongoing protests attest to this. ICE carries out its actions in surges, and their next surge could be here. We need to be ready to defend ourselves.
ICE is pressuring local police departments to sign up for its 287(g) program, which effectively turns police officers into ICE agents. We cannot allow our tax dollars to be used for this purpose. The role of the police is to maintain law and order, and ICE agents are not crime fighters. We must refuse to be complicit.
Our state legislators must immediately set guardrails to protect Massachusetts residents. Ensure that Massachusetts law enforcement never assists ICE in making civil immigration arrests. Ban 287(g) agreements. Pass the Immigrant Legal Defense Act to support those who can’t afford a private attorney.
In 2026, the federal government is undermining human rights and freedoms wherever we turn, and it’s up to the states to protect residents and our democracy. ICE is now acting as this country’s Gestapo. We need to stop them before they do any more damage.
Montserrat Archbald
Whately