# Massachusetts immigration legislation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/massachusetts-immigration-legislation
> Updated: 2026-08-12T18:49:08.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 2.

Governor Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act (H.5620) into law in Massachusetts, which restricts U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting warrantless civil arrests at various state facilities, including schools, hospitals, and courthouses. 

The legislation also establishes a three-year statewide commission on immigration, accelerates U and T visa certification timelines, and allows undocumented parents to pre-arrange legal guardianship for their children. While the Governor described the measure as the “strongest law in the country” to protect residents, the Department of Homeland Security condemned the act, stating it “endangers public safety and releases violent criminals back into communities.”

## Claims

- The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act removes gestational limits on abortion in Massachusetts. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The law allows physicians to perform abortions based on their professional medical judgment without specific gestational limits. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Previously, Massachusetts restricted abortions after 24 weeks to cases involving maternal health or fatal fetal diagnoses. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Abortion will remain safe, legal, and accessible in Massachusetts. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Massachusetts is the 10th state to permit abortion up to the point of birth. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Kelsey Reinhardt, president of CatholicVote, requested that Massachusetts bishops consider excommunicating Governor Healey. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-12: Massachusetts Governor Healey signs law removing abortion gestational limits

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, removing gestational limits on abortion and allowing the procedure based on physician judgment.

22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/massachusetts-governor-signs-law-removing-abortion-gestational-limits-1

### 2026-08-05: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signs PROTECT Act limiting ICE arrests

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act, banning ICE from warrantless civil arrests in schools, hospitals and courthouses, creating an immigration commission, reforming U/T visas, and drawing DHS

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/massachusetts-governor-maura-healey-signs-protect-act-limiting-ice-arrests

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Cite as: Massachusetts immigration legislation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/massachusetts-immigration-legislation