Massachusetts passes the PROTECT Act: reinstates sensitive location protections (including hospitals and K-12 schools), requires worker notification of I-9 audits, and more.

‍On August 5, 2026, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed the PROTECT Act, which substantially increases protections for immigrants in Massachusetts and limits state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. As a brief summary, the Act:

• Reinstates sensitive location protections for K-12 public and charter schools, healthcare facilities, courthouses, and childcare facilities;

  • K-12 public and charter school protections take effect on September 1, 2026 or the first day of school, whichever is sooner.

• Requires employers to notify employees of an I-9 audit within 48 hours of receiving the Notice of Inspection from ICE (effective immediately);

• Severely restricts state and local government involvement in immigration enforcement actions;

• Increases access to legal counsel for detained immigrants;

• Allows parents and guardians to appoint standby guardianship for their children in the event of detention or deportation;

• Enables individuals whose constitutional rights were violated by ICE and other federal officials to sue those officials in state court; and ‍

• Creates a state immigration commission to study immigration-related issues in Massachusetts.

These provisions take effect on a rolling basis between the Act’s signing and mid-February 2027.

For more information on the Act, click herefor a one-page summary of the Act from the Massachusetts Governor’s office or click here for a three-page summary from the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (“MIRA”) Coalition.