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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security took up a bill filed by state lawmakers on Wednesday, one which, if passed, would prohibit the use of state and local money to pay officers to take part in immigration enforcement alongside or at the direction of ICE agents going forward.
Dubbed the "Safe Communities Act" by its supporters, the bill was sponsored by Representatives Ruth B. Balser and Liz Miranda, and State Senator Jamie Eldridge, among other Massachusetts politicians.
"No one should have to sacrifice their safety because they are too afraid to approach the police or access the courts. The Safe Communities Act represents an important step in rebuilding trust in immigrant communities," said Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan on Twitter.
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Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said he opposed the bill, "It's just outrageous, it makes absolutely no sense. Unfortunately we have legislators that think protecting the bad guys and people who violate the law is somehow advantageous to them with no regard."
If the bill was passed, authorities would also be banned from asking about a person's immigration status.
WBZ's Tim Dunn (@ConsiderMeDunn) reports.
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