The Safe Communities Act, a so-called "sanctuary cities" bill, failed to get a vote in the Massachusetts House last year. Now, progressives hope to gather enough support to convince Democratic leaders to bring it to the floor.
The bill would limit how the state and municipalities interact with federal immigration enforcement. It's part of the selection of bills the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition wants Massachusetts to put into law as a bulwark against President Donald Trump's agenda of immigration enforcement.
Hundreds of advocates came out to the State House on Monday for Immigrants' Day, where they converged to lobby the lawmakers who are not one of the 76 House supporters of the bill. In a speech in front of the crowd, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley asked when fighting for immigrants became a radical notion.
"To affirm and to lift up the humanity of people, to demand that you see the depth of dignity in them and to fight for the preservation of families. If that is a radical thing, well I ask all of you to join me in this radical movement," Pressley told the group of advocates.
Even with nearly 50 percent of House members backing the bill, it never saw the light of day, or a floor vote, in the House chamber. The Senate passed similar language as part of their budget package last year.
"Half of the legislature are on board with the Safe Communities Act. You're here today to convince the other half. So go into your rep and senator's office if they're on board. Thank them. And if they're not, tell them your story, because reps and senators listen to the stories of their constituents," Newton Rep. Ruth Balser said.
The "sanctuary cities" bill would limit the ways local and state police can interact with federal immigration officials.
Opponents, like Gov. Charlie Baker, say cities and towns should be allowed to cooperate with federal officials. Even with the high levels of support from the progressive wing of the party, Democrats in the House have been squeamish about bringing the act forward for a vote. Democrats may not be able to mount the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override Baker's veto.
MIRA Coalition Executive Director Eva Millona told the crowd the goal of the legislation is to ensure that everyone, in the country legally or not, feels protected by law enforcement. Millona said her group conducted a poll of 86 case managers working with domestic violence and sexual assault victims and found that each case manager worked with victims who had at one point refused to call 9-11 or report the abuse.
"They are scared of being separated from their children. They know it's a real risk. They've seen families torn apart right in their communities. Nobody should have to worry that if they call the police, they'll get deported," Millona said.
Beyond the safe communities act, the coalition of immigrant and civil rights groups wants lawmakers to allow drivers licenses for undocumented residents.
