The next U.S. administration is unlikely to count on the state of Massachusetts to implement its policy of mass deportation of illegal immigrants in the United States.
Massachusetts will not participate in the mass deportation policies envisioned by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, Governor Maura Healey has said.
In an interview with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, Maura Healey firmly stated that Massachusetts would not lend a hand to federal authorities if Trump engaged in an immigration crackdown.
“No, absolutely not,” said the Democratic governor when asked if Massachusetts would support mass deportations. Healey stressed that her administration would resolutely oppose what it perceives as a potential infringement on immigrants’ rights. She added that federal pressure is likely to be felt by local and state agencies, but reaffirmed that Massachusetts will defend its values and policy of inclusivity.
Trump’s immigration agenda and state resistance
For years, immigration has been at the heart of Trump’s policies. His 2024 election campaign promised the biggest wave of deportations in American history, with a goal of deporting more than 11 million undocumented residents. To achieve this, Trump plans to rely on the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, and may even deploy troops to the border to reinforce federal authorities.
Trump also hopes to mobilize local and national police forces to participate in arrests and deportations, a move strongly opposed by many states, including Massachusetts.
The Democratic governor expressed confidence in the ability of federal courts to uphold states’ and individuals’ rights in the face of Trump’s actions. “Trump’s deportation efforts would face significant opposition in the federal courts,” she stressed, asserting that Massachusetts is prepared to defend its citizens and residents regardless of their immigration status.
Ms. Healey noted that states have a variety of means at their disposal to resist federal mandates that might violate their laws and principles. “The bottom line is that every tool at our disposal is used to protect our citizens, our residents and our state,” she said. She added that Massachusetts could use its legislative and regulatory authority to defend democracy and the rule of law.
This approach marks growing opposition from governors and legislators at the state level. Healey joins other Democratic leaders who believe Trump’s plan could threaten the rights and well-being of immigrant communities. Massachusetts stands alongside other states that could also take legal action to block federal mass deportation directives, according to the governor, who confirms that Massachusetts police will not arrest illegal immigrants.
Trump’s vision for immigration reform
Jason Miller, a key Trump advisor, has stated that the president-elect’s priority on his first day in office in 2025 will be to restore the border security measures of his previous term, while reversing the policies of the Biden administration. Trump’s initiatives include severe restrictions on asylum applications and efforts to end sanctuary city protections, while continuing construction of the border wall.
During his campaign, Trump frequently portrayed immigration as a national security issue. He claimed that millions of migrants without proper vetting had entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, overwhelming social services and draining local resources. In some of his statements, Trump has referred to migrants as “animals” and claimed they pose a specific criminal threat, referring to “migrant crime.”
Mass deportations with conditional reintegration
Trump clarified that deportations are, in his view, necessary to ensure the country’s security. His administration wants to focus on deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, but is also considering widespread deportations. “We want people to come into our country,” he explained in an interview with NBC News, ”but we have no choice but to do mass deportations.”
Trump made it clear that those wishing to return to the US will have to go through a rigorous vetting process. He claims that the election results give him a mandate for firm action on immigration: “When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, they have to go back to those countries because they can’t stay here,” he insisted.
According to him, Americans want secure borders and legal immigration. “They want borders, and they like people to come in,” he added, ”but they have to come in with love for the country. They have to come in legally.”
Reactions among state leaders
Healey’s statement is part of a trend in which many Democratic state leaders are expressing concern about such an aggressive federal deportation mandate. As governor of Massachusetts, Healey signals her intention to protect the state’s immigrants, even if it means defying Trump’s federal administration.
This resistance reflects a growing divide between federal immigration enforcement and state autonomy. If Massachusetts maintains its hard line, the state could inspire other governors to do the same, creating a potential legal and political confrontation on a national scale.
For now, Massachusetts seems determined to fight for immigrant rights, despite the political tensions ahead with Washington. This opposition could prove to be one of the many challenges the Trump administration will face in bringing its immigration agenda to fruition.
Note: This story was originally written in French. It was translated using translation software and edited by our editor, Emmanuel Paul. Quotes and citations in this article may differ slightly from the original French version.
To read the original article in French, please visit our French page below.
La Police du Massachusetts ne soutiendra pas les plans d’expulsion massive de Trump