Jan 29, 2026 - Immigration

Healey moves to get ICE out of schools and hospitals

Mike Deehan

Photo illustration of Maura Healey with lines radiating from her. — Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Gov. Maura Healey is shielding immigrants from federal law enforcement in sensitive Massachusetts locations like schools, hospitals and courthouses.

Why it matters: It's one of Healey's biggest direct challenges to the Trump administration after the rescission of federal "protected areas" policies.

Healey argues that unbridled ICE activity in the state caused school enrollment to drop and led immigrant families to skip medical care out of fear.

State of play: Healey's executive order bans new 287(g) enforcement agreements between Massachusetts executive entities and the federal government without a certified safety need.

It also prohibits civil arrests in non-public state areas and bars state property from being used by ICE as staging grounds.
The order doesn't affect the state Department of Correction's existing 287(g) agreement.

Part two of Healey's move, in the form of a bill that will need legislative approval, requires judicial warrants for ICE to enter schools or health care facilities.

Healey would allow parents to pre-arrange "standby" guardianship for children if they are detained.
The bill would make it illegal for another state to deploy National Guard troops to Massachusetts without the governor's explicit permission.

What's next: Legislative leaders, including Senate President Karen Spilka, signaled support for moving the proposals quickly.

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Healey moves to get ICE out of schools and hospitals

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