Massachusetts legislators are advancing a proposal to restrict immigration enforcement activities by federal agents in courthouses, as concerns mount over intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations throughout the state.
Senator Lydia Edwards, a Boston Democrat, introduced a bill requiring federal agents to present judicial warrants before detaining individuals on courthouse premises for civil immigration violations. The bill would extend these protections to people traveling to or from court proceedings.
“Anybody that is going to court should be able to go, do their business, feel physically and legally safe,” Edwards told Axios Boston.
Increased Enforcement Presence
The Massachusetts court system documented at least 614 ICE arrests in courthouses in 2025, according to official records reported by Axios. One-fifth of these detentions occurred in Region V, which encompasses Boston Municipal Court and several other eastern Massachusetts jurisdictions.
The legislation comes in response to cases such as the November detention of a man in an alley behind East Boston District Court, an incident that drew criticism from immigrant rights advocates who argue such enforcement actions undermine access to justice.
Key Provisions
Under the proposed bill, law enforcement agents would be instructed to:
∙ Identify themselves upon entering court facilities
∙ Present a judicial warrant before detaining anyone for civil immigration violations
∙ Comply with restrictions on enforcement activities during courthouse travel
The warrant requirement would not apply to arrests of individuals convicted of murder or identified by the FBI as terrorist threats.
Additionally, the legislation includes a provision prohibiting face coverings in courthouses, with exceptions for COVID-19 prevention and protection against other airborne transmissible diseases.
Legal Precedents
Massachusetts would join Connecticut and New York in implementing courthouse protections if the bill becomes law. A federal judge recently upheld the validity of New York’s way of doing things, finding that its statute prohibiting immigration agent arrests in courthouses is constitutional, providing legal support for similar state-level restrictions.
Legislative Uncertainty
The bill’s fate remains uncertain at Beacon Hill. Legislative leaders hold considerable power to determine whether the proposal advances quickly or stalls without progress during the current session.
House Speaker Ron Mariano’s office did not respond to requests for comment, according to Axios. A spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka indicated she would review the legislation and “will continue to call out ICE’s appalling conduct unequivocally.”
The bill currently has six co-sponsors in the state legislature.
Immigrant advocates argue that courthouse arrests create a chilling effect that discourages immigrant communities from seeking justice, reporting crimes, or participating in court proceedings—concerns that could intensify if Massachusetts experiences an increase in federal enforcement operations in the coming months.
Source: Steph Solis, Axios Boston, “Massachusetts bill would restrict ICE arrests in courthouses,” January 21, 2026
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