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Governor voices concern about recent immigration enforcement and impact on Massachusetts colleges and local businesses
Summary
During a press event, the governor criticized recent immigration enforcement actions and said they are generating fear in communities and harming local economies and universities; she called for more information from federal authorities and highlighted the economic role of international students and researchers.
During the same press event, the governor responded to questions about recent immigration enforcement actions on islands and their effect on communities and higher-education institutions.
The governor said she had heard of roughly 40 people being detained in recent activity and that only about two of those, she had been told, had alleged criminal records. She said the state and local officials had "0 information" about the circumstances in many cases and described concerns about due process and the anxiety generated when people are detained in their communities. "We need answers," the governor said, adding that she was "very disturbed" by reports of people taken while going to work on job sites.
She linked the enforcement actions to broader national policies that she said were chilling international student enrollment and research partnerships that are important to Massachusetts' economy. "If you got a choice, I'm gonna go up to McGill in Canada, or I'm gonna go study in Europe," the governor said, arguing that uncertainty could push students and researchers away and that could harm local businesses such as restaurants, retail and hospitality that rely on campus activity.
The governor specifically referenced Harvard and other universities, saying that attacks on colleges "are making America less competitive" and could spur other countries to recruit researchers and entrepreneurs who otherwise might start businesses in Massachusetts. She described conversations with students and recent graduates who said they were reconsidering staying in the state because of fear and uncertainty.
On the subject of enforcement, the governor said cooperating with federal and local law enforcement on criminal cases is appropriate, but she expressed concern about perceived overreach and an absence of clear information sharing with local officials. "We have 0 information about what's happening in communities, and that needs to change," she said.
Officials did not announce any new state policies in response to these questions during the event. The governor said she would seek more information and answers from federal authorities and emphasized the potential economic ripple effects of sustained uncertainty for Massachusetts institutions and communities.
