BOSTON (WHDH) - Massachusetts lawmakers have announced a compromise on immigration enforcement and keeping dangerous criminals off the streets.
The lead sponsors of the bill that limits the ability of state and local police to work with federal immigration officials say they’ve found middle ground with law enforcement.
“We’re actually giving law enforcement the tools they want,” said Rep. Juana Matias (D-Lawrence).
Two of the state’s largest police groups are both endorsing the bill. The bill would let police hold people on immigration detainers for up to six hours if that person has a prior criminal conviction.
Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes says the bill would protect all people.
“We’re in the business of building trust is what we are in the business of doing. We’re not in the business of enforcing civil immigration law,” Kyes said.
Governor Charlie Baker has filed his own bill that he says it would keep the most dangerous criminals off the streets.
In a statement, Baker’s office says the governor “believes that several provisions in this proposal make it very difficult for immigration authorities to detain certain criminals convicted of convicted of serious, violent crimes who are also in the country illegally, forcing authorities to release them back into Massachusetts communities.”
“Baker’s language is such a low threshold for those who have committed minor crimes that it would essentially sweep up many undocumented immigrants,” Sen. Jamie Eldridge said.
Baker’s Secretary of Public Safety, Daniel Bennett, sent a letter to the bill’s sponsors, outlining the differences.
“When you consider all of the risks that are out there, this is a tool you really need to keep our communities safer,” Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz.
The proposed compromise was endorsed by the Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association and the Massachusetts Major City Police Chiefs Association, two organizations that had previously supported Baker’s bill.
(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)