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Boston City Council backs state immigrant-protection bills and denounces TPS rollbacks
Summary
On March 5 the Boston City Council adopted resolutions endorsing proposed state laws to limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and to expand legal defense for immigrants, and separately denounced the federal rollback of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian, Venezuelan and other communities.
The Boston City Council on March 5 voted to endorse state-level immigrant-protection legislation and to condemn recent federal changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The council adopted a resolution supporting the Safe Communities Act, the Immigrant Legal Defense Act and the Dignity Not Deportations Act. The measure, filed by Councilor Kenneth Weber with Councilor Gabriela Mejia as an original cosponsor, passed in a roll-call vote, 10–2. Councilors Ed Flynn and Michelle Murphy cast the only negative votes.
The Safe Communities Act, as described by supporters in the chamber, is modeled on the city’s earlier Trust Act and would limit cooperation between state or local officials and federal immigration enforcement in certain cases. “That legislation that was passed…was the spearhead for to file the Safe Communities Act back in 02/2017,” said state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who attended the meeting and identified himself as the bill’s sponsor in the Senate.
Supporters said the Immigrant Legal Defense Act would create a funding mechanism for low-income immigrants in removal proceedings to obtain specialized legal representation; the Dignity Not Deportations Act would bar state and municipal entities from entering into federal detention or immigration-collaboration contracts, supporters said. “Immigration law is incredibly complex…you need a whole team of people to help you,” Councilor Weber said while urging passage.
Separately, the council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the federal administration’s decision to curtail TPS protections for Haitian, Venezuelan and other designated communities. That measure, sponsored by Council President Louie Jen and Councilors Mejia and Colette Zapata, passed 12–0.
Councilors and community advocates said the TPS vote was meant to send a message to federal policymakers and to reassure affected residents that the city considers TPS holders to be legal, contributing members of Boston’s workforce and neighborhoods. “These are people who are fleeing unimaginable and unsafe conditions,” Council President Louie Jen said. Dr. Gabo of EFC Immigrant Family Services Institute, addressing the council, said immigrants are “doing our work every day in the hospital, driving the kids to school…we are here to stay.”
Councilors who favored immediate floor votes argued a public vote signals moral support and urgency. Members who urged referral to committee said hearings would allow departments and legal counsel to evaluate operational impacts should state laws change. Councilor Michelle Murphy said she planned to refile the matter as a hearing order to obtain more information, but did not block the floor vote.
What passed today are council resolutions — expressions of the council’s position — not local ordinances. Supporters said they intend the measures to pressure Beacon Hill lawmakers and to affirm Boston’s stated status as a welcoming city.
Votes at a glance: Resolution supporting state immigrant-protection bills (docket 0619) — passed 10–2 (No: Flynn, Murphy). Resolution denouncing rollback of TPS (docket 0622) — passed 12–0.
Next steps: Council sponsors and local advocates said they will continue coordinating with state legislators and immigrant-rights organizations as the bills move through the Massachusetts Legislature.
