Photo: Madison Rogers/ WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — State lawmakers and immigration advocates rallied on Beacon Hill Wednesday as the Trump Administration cracks down on immigration.
Some of President Trump's moves have spurred conversation about the duties of state and federal agencies when it comes to enforcing immigration laws. On Wednesday, the president signed the Laken Riley Act, which requires federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes. His administration has also instructed federal prosecutors to investigate cities and towns that impede the enforcement of the president's immigration agenda.
Among the lawmakers to join the Wednesday rally was Massachusetts State Senator Jamie Eldridge. He said he wanted "to set a clear, bright line between the role of federal immigration officials and our state and local law enforcement and court personnel."
Governor Maura Healey has said the state will help with detaining criminals, but Massachusetts law does not allow the state do the work of ICE by arresting unauthorized immigrants who are not accused of crimes.
Despite local lawmakers and elected officials digging their heels in, there have been several reports of ICE agents detaining people around Greater Boston since President Trump took office.
Read More: ICE Detainment Sparks Fear Amongst Undocumented Community In Lynn, Mass.
On Monday, an 18-year-old Lynn woman was detained by ICE as she appeared in court for allegedly assaulting her brother during an argument.
In Marlborough, Eldridge said a Brazilian man was also detained this week. Eldridge criticized the methods ICE used to track the suspect down.
"ICE officials, instead of finding that target at his home, saw a car drive out from that same street, with a similar profile as ICE's target, and pulled him over," Eldridge said.
The Trump Administration has given ICE agents more leniency in the way they detain suspects. In a rollback of federal policy that dates back to the Obama Administration, President Trump has given agents permission to detain suspects at so-called sensitive places like schools and places of worship.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has released guidance instructing public schools not to give ICE a student's personal information without written parental consent. Campbell also advised superintendents to contact their district's legal counsel if ICE tries to remove a student from class.
WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers (@madisonwbz) reports.