Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced on Mar. 13 the launch of a new online portal for Massachusetts residents to report alleged misconduct by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating within the state. The portal, available at mass.gov/fedmisconduct, is intended to provide a centralized place for individuals, families, attorneys, and community members to document incidents involving ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal agencies that enforce civil immigration laws.
The initiative aims to help the state identify patterns of potential misconduct, support affected residents, and inform possible legal or policy actions. Governor Healey said, “We’ve seen across the country and here in Massachusetts that the tactics of ICE under the Trump Administration have been putting everyone at risk. The people of Massachusetts deserve to know that their rights will be respected, their safety protected and their concerns about misconduct taken seriously. This new reporting portal will help us gather information, support residents and ensure federal agents operating in our state are following the law.”
Attorney General Campbell added, “The core duty of law enforcement, including federal law enforcement, is to keep our communities safe. But what we have seen from ICE in recent months across the country is the opposite: aggressive and reckless tactics that spread fear and chaos in our communities. As my office works to ensure residents are protected and have access to the legal assistance they need, I encourage everyone to use this new reporting portal if they see concerning ICE activity in their communities.”
The portal allows members of the public to share information about incidents involving potentially unlawful activity by federal agents in Massachusetts—including videos and photographs—which may help identify patterns of potential misconduct or inform possible legal action or policy recommendations. It also connects affected residents with legal advocacy organizations.
In addition to launching the portal, Attorney General Campbell released updated ‘Know Your Rights’ guidance designed for immigrants, families, and communities. The guidance includes information about holding federal immigration officials accountable as well as details on protestors’ rights and recent executive orders at state and local levels.
This move follows several actions by Governor Healey aimed at increasing transparency around federal immigration enforcement in Massachusetts. These include requesting Signature Aviation stop supporting deportation flights out of Hanscom Field; demanding greater transparency from Homeland Security regarding arrests; filing legislation prohibiting ICE operations in sensitive locations; signing an executive order requiring judicial warrants for entry into non-public areas of state facilities; limiting use of state resources for civil immigration enforcement; and restricting participation in certain federal agreements unless there is a clear public safety need.
Community leaders expressed support for these measures. Senate President Karen Spilka said that “Massachusetts cannot sit quietly while federal agents abuse their authority,” while Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden stated his office would “always safeguard against any violation” of protestors’ rights. Other district attorneys echoed these sentiments about accountability.
Leaders from advocacy groups such as Catholic Charities Boston, MIRA Coalition, Brazilian Worker’s Center, Jewish Family Service organizations, Refugee Assistance Center Boston, International Institute of New England (IINE), Ascentria Care Alliance, Jane Doe Inc., among others also voiced approval for efforts aimed at protecting immigrant rights through increased transparency.
Looking ahead, officials say this new resource will strengthen trust between communities and institutions while ensuring all law enforcement actions comply with constitutional protections.
