Protesters call on Gov. Healey to end Dept. of Correction’s cooperation with ICE

Yawu Miller

Yawu Miller is the former senior editor of the Bay State Banner. He has written for the Banner since 1988.... VIEW BIO

A crowd of more than 40 protesters demonstrated in front of Gov. Maura Healey’s Arlington home Monday morning at 5 a.m., calling on her to end a Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) cooperation agreement with ICE.

“Governor Healey, while you sleep in your bed our families are being torn apart,” one demonstrator chanted. “Governor Healey, stop the kidnappings in our community.”

The demonstrators wore masks and did not identify themselves. According to one, who spoke on condition of anonymity, several of those present were undocumented immigrants. Their target was a so-called 287(g) agreement between ICE and the DOC that allows state prisons to be used to detain immigrants on behalf of the federal government.

Just one prison in Massachusetts — the Plymouth County Correctional Facility — has entered into such an agreement with ICE. But activists who oppose the state’s participation in Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act say the presence of an ICE detention facility in Massachusetts endangers immigrants here.

Cindy Rowe, executive director of the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA), cites a study by the nonprofit Detention Watch Network that found a high correlation between detention facilities and ICE apprehensions of immigrants.

“Where there are beds available, that’s where ICE will go,” Rowe said. “JALSA believes that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Right now, our federal government is not treating immigrants with the dignity they deserve.”

State Sen. Adam Gomez, whose district includes most of Springfield and part of Chicopee, is sponsoring Senate Bill S.997, called Dignity not Deportation, which would bar all prisons and law enforcement in Massachusetts from entering into such agreements with ICE.

“We know ICE has been terrorizing communities with total disregard for law enforcement,” he said. “Local communities are left to deal with the consequences.”

The increased ICE raids that have come in the first six months of President Trump’s second term in office has added a sense of urgency to the bill’s backers. Organizations including JALSA, ACLU Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Coalition are pushing for the bill to pass.

The activists who demonstrated in front of Healey’s home Monday morning said the governor could have a significant impact by barring the DOC from participating in 287(g) agreements.

“Governor Healey, use your power. End the agreement 287(g),” the demonstrators chanted, before they marched back toward Cambridge, two Arlington Police cruisers following.

Whether Healey will end the 287(g) agreements is an open question. Responding to criticism from Republican challenger Brian Shortsleeve that she’s supporting “sanctuary policies,” Healey stressed her cooperation with federal authorities, speaking July 6 on the WBZ News show “Keller at Large.”

“Massachusetts is not a sanctuary city,” she said. “Just for information to folks. I continue to work with state, local and federal law enforcement when it comes to getting bad guys off the streets. Always done that, always will.”

Healey’s interview sparked worry among immigrant advocates.

“It’s become increasingly clear that she’s more worried about Republicans attacking her than she is about this rogue agency that’s engaged in political theater,” said Chelsea City Councilor Roberto Jiménez-Rivera. “Either she’s oblivious to what’s actually happening, or her values don’t align with the majority of the people in the state. I hope it’s the former.”

This story originally appeared on flipsidenews.net.