Massachusetts issues guidance for schools on immigration enforcement

The Massachusetts administration has issued new guidance for schools and childcare centers regarding interactions with immigration enforcement. This follows the signing of the PROTECT Act by Governor Maura Healey on August 5, which expanded protections against warrantless civil immigration arrests to include courthouses, public schools, healthcare facilities, and childcare centers.

The new guidelines provide specific protocols for school staff if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrive on site or request access to students or their information. Recommended procedures include designating staff points of contact, involving legal counsel, documenting all interactions, notifying families, and protecting confidential student data.

Under the law, schools and state-funded or licensed childcare programs must adopt policies governing interactions with civil law enforcement. These policies must be in effect by September 1 or the start of the 2026-2027 school year, whichever occurs earlier. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has released model policies to assist school districts and charter schools in implementing these protections.