Massachusetts Governor Announces Actions to 'Protect Residents' from ICE

ICE Director slams Healey over rhetoric as governor details new policies limiting agency's reach

Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:31pm

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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced a series of executive actions and proposed legislation aimed at limiting the reach of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state. This has prompted a strong rebuke from Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, who accused Healey of "political theater" and undermining federal law enforcement. The governor's moves include prohibiting new 287(g) agreements that deputize local police, barring ICE from making civil arrests in non-public state facilities, and legislation to keep the agency out of courthouses, schools, and other sensitive locations.

Why it matters

The clash between Healey and ICE leadership reflects the ongoing political tensions over immigration enforcement, with Democratic state and local officials seeking to limit the agency's activities while the Trump administration has sought to empower ICE. The dispute raises questions about the balance of federal and state authority, as well as the role of law enforcement in immigration matters.

The details

Healey's executive order prohibits the state from entering into new 287(g) agreements that deputize local police to assist ICE, and bars the agency from making civil arrests in non-public areas of state facilities. She has also filed legislation that would keep ICE out of Massachusetts courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals and churches, and allow parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in case of detention or deportation. Lyons, the ICE director, accused Healey of "reckless, inflammatory and completely divorced from reality" rhetoric that "deliberately undermine[s] federal law enforcement." He said the agency's work benefits Massachusetts residents by arresting "murderers, child sex abusers and other violent criminals."

  • On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Governor Healey announced the new actions at the State House.

The players

Maura Healey

The Governor of Massachusetts who announced the new actions to limit ICE's reach in the state.

Todd Lyons

The Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who criticized Governor Healey's rhetoric and actions.

Donald Trump

The former President who sent federal agents, including from ICE, into communities around the country, which Healey said has "instigated, antagonized, and caused violence."

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What they’re saying

“The governor's attacks on ICE are reckless, inflammatory and completely divorced from reality. Instead of engaging directly with the agency on its mission, training and legal authorities, she's opted for political theater — repeating false claims that mislead the public and deliberately undermine federal law enforcement.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director (Boston Herald)

“Let's be clear about what's happening. Over the past year, President Trump has sent federal agents into communities, cities, and states around the country. And what we have seen week after week, month after month, are federal agents instigating, antagonizing, and yes, causing violence in communities.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (Boston Herald)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow ICE to continue making civil arrests in non-public areas of state facilities in Massachusetts.

The takeaway

This clash between the state and federal government over immigration enforcement highlights the ongoing political tensions and the need to find a balanced approach that upholds the law while also protecting the rights and safety of all residents.