Massachusetts officials have issued new guidelines to schools and child care centers to help them navigate interactions with immigration enforcement agencies under a recently enacted state law. The directives, announced Tuesday by Governor Maura Healey’s office, aim to protect immigrant students and families as the 2026–27 academic year approaches.

Signed into law on August 5, the immigrant protection statute expands safeguards against warrantless civil immigration arrests, extending these protections to courthouses, public schools, child care centers, and health care facilities. Among its provisions, the law mandates that public schools and state-licensed or funded child care programs implement formal policies regulating their engagement with civil immigration officers. These policies must be in place by September 1 or by the start of the upcoming school year, whichever occurs first.

The guidance from the state outlines specific steps for school districts, charter schools, and educational collaboratives to follow if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrive on campus or request access to students or their information. Key procedures include designating staff points of contact to handle such interactions, carefully reviewing and responding to requests, involving legal counsel when necessary, documenting all encounters with enforcement personnel, notifying families when appropriate, and safeguarding confidential information about students and families.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provided model policy templates and processes to assist schools in drafting their procedures. These also cover protocols for informing the school community if civil enforcement officials are confirmed on campus, while balancing privacy concerns and ensuring emergency contact information remains current. Meanwhile, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) issued comparable guidance for licensed and state-funded child care programs. In addition, EEC collaborated with the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants to deliver "Know Your Rights" training sessions tailored for early education and care providers.

Governor Healey emphasized the importance of schools and child care programs as secure environments for children. “Every child should feel safe walking into their classroom and every parent should feel confident dropping them off,” she said, underscoring that the new law clarifies these spaces should not be sites for targeted immigration enforcement.

Local officials noted the law’s impact on community well-being. Chelsea City Manager highlighted that the protections have relieved many residents who previously avoided work and educational settings due to fear of immigration encounters. House Speaker Ron Mariano echoed this sentiment, affirming the legislation’s goal to maintain schools as safe spaces free from harassment or detention by immigration authorities.