Council files immigrant emergency fund order and backs mayoral protections and federal TPS for Haiti

Several items related to immigrant protections and supports moved through the council on Feb. 11.

Councilor Louis Jain filed an order to explore a centralized, scalable immigrant emergency response fund to coordinate city, philanthropic and nonprofit resources for rapid assistance — for example, if Temporary Protected Status (TPS) were to end for a population group. Jain said the proposed fund would build on existing philanthropic responses and city investments and would improve readiness for sudden federal policy shifts.

Councilor Santana introduced a resolution affirming Mayor Wu’s executive order that limits the use of city property for civil immigration operations and asks the Boston Police Department to investigate allegations of violent federal activity. Councilor Flynn asked for a hearing so councilors could hear directly from the Boston Police Department and other departments about how the 7‑page executive order would be enforced; the item was referred to the Public Safety & Criminal Justice committee after Flynn formally objected to immediate passage and requested departmental testimony.

Councilor Louis Jain also sponsored a resolution urging Congress to discharge a petition forcing a House vote on Temporary Protected Status for Haiti; the council suspended the rules and adopted that resolution by roll call (11‑0). Jain cited ongoing legal proceedings and the risks to hundreds of thousands of TPS holders nationwide.

Ending: The council advanced both advocacy and oversight tracks — committee hearings to clarify city enforcement of executive orders and advocacy resolutions to push for federal action on TPS — and filed a fund proposal to coordinate city, philanthropic and nonprofit emergency aid for immigrant residents.