Immigration

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 866: An Act enabling cities and towns to extend voting rights in municipal elections to certain noncitizens of the Commonwealth

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 866) of David M. Rogers for legislation to enable cities and towns to extend voting rights in municipal elections to certain non-citizens of the Commonwealth. Election Laws.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExtends municipal voting rights to noncitizens, supporting immigrant integration per bill's explicit intent to enable local election participation for noncitizen residents.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 810: An Act extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth

This bill allows noncitizens with legal immigration status (18+ years old) to vote in local municipal elections, including for mayor, school committees, and town council positions. It requires a separate registration form and notifies voters about their limited rights - noncitizens may vote only in local elections, not for federal or state offices, and voting in federal elections could risk citizenship applications. Municipal officials must add eligible noncitizens to a special voter list within 5 days of registration, and noncitizens must maintain residency in one municipality to retain voting rights. The bill does not affect federal or state voting eligibility.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExtends municipal voting rights to noncitizens, advancing immigrant integration and civic participation per bill title and summary.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 855: An Act extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the Commonwealth

HD 765 would allow noncitizens with legal immigration status (18+ years old) to vote in local municipal elections, such as for mayor, school committees, or town council. To register, noncitizens must submit a special form declaring residency, and election officials must notify them within 5 days about their voting rights (limited to local elections) and limitations (no voting for federal/state offices or initiatives). The bill requires the state secretary to issue this registration form and regulations, distributing it like citizen forms, and noncitizens must maintain residency in one municipality to retain voting rights. It explicitly prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal, state, or initiative elections.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExtends municipal voting rights to noncitizens, advancing immigrant integration and rights under state election laws.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 16, 2025

HD 4793: An Act facilitating assistance with Federal Operations Act

By Representative Lombardo of Billerica, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Marc T. Lombardo relative to civil immigration detainers and state and local law cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationFacilitates state cooperation with ICE on detainers, mandating enforcement assistance per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 436: An Act relative to affirming and maintaining equal access to public education for all children

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 436) of Pavel M. Payano, Sal N. DiDomenico, Jason M. Lewis, Vanna Howard and others for legislation to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for English learners. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to affirm equal access for English learners in public education, directly strengthening educational access as defined in the topic description.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnsures equal access to public education for English learners, a group including immigrant children, supporting educational rights without discrimination.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 512: An Act extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 512) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to extend voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth. Election Laws.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly extends municipal voting rights to noncitizens, advancing immigrant rights by including noncitizen residents in local elections, a direct support measure for immigrant integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 263: An Act relative to the utilization of the systematic alien verification for entitlements program by the Commonwealth

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to verify applicants' immigration status before providing certain benefits. It mandates that departments administering transitional assistance, housing programs for low-income families, WIC, and MassHealth register for and use the federal SAVES program to confirm applicants are U.S. citizens or "lawfully present aliens." The key provision adds specific verification steps to existing laws for each program, requiring agencies to check eligibility through this federal system prior to disbursing benefits. This directly affects individuals applying for these state-funded programs who must prove their immigration status under the new requirement.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates use of SAVE program to verify immigration status for entitlement programs, restricting immigrant access to state services per program purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 4033: An Act providing for legal voting rights in municipal elections for non-citizen residents of the city of Somerville

This bill allows non-citizen residents of Somerville who meet all other voter eligibility requirements (like residency) to register and vote in local elections and ballot questions. It creates a separate voter registration list managed by Somerville's election board, requiring a special form and a sworn declaration of residency. Non-citizens voting under this law can only participate in city-level elections (e.g., mayor, city council, local ballot measures), not state or federal elections. The city must cover costs for the special registration forms and separate ballots if local questions appear on state election ballots, while maintaining clear separation from state voter lists.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill grants non-citizen residents voting rights in Somerville municipal elections, directly supporting immigrant integration and inclusion through civic participation.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 9, 2026

S 2012: An Act establishing fairness for agricultural laborers

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2012) of Adam Gomez and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish fairness for agricultural laborers. Revenue.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill establishes fairness for agricultural laborers, a sector with high immigrant worker presence, protecting labor rights and aligning with immigrant rights support.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill title 'establishing fairness for agricultural laborers' directly supports worker protections in labor rights, aligning with key support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1994: An Act protecting tenants from retaliation and coercion

HD 4021 protects tenants in Massachusetts from landlord retaliation related to immigration status. It prohibits landlords from threatening to report a tenant's immigration status (unless required by law) or suing to evict based solely on that status. Landlords can still follow legal requirements like court orders, verify financial qualifications, or address lease violations. Tenants who face prohibited actions can seek actual damages, up to $2,000 per violation, attorney fees, or other court-ordered relief. The bill explicitly states immigration status cannot be used in housing rights cases unless directly relevant to the claim.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly protects tenants from retaliation using immigration status threats, strengthening tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits retaliation by threatening to disclose immigration status, directly protecting tenants from coercion related to immigration status.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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