Is Massachusetts a sanctuary state?

The number of families and individuals arriving in Massachusetts seeking safety and shelter has “significantly” increased as 133 immigrant families and over 4000 individuals have arrived and were housed in the fiscal year of 2022, according to a recent letter written by Gov. Charlie Baker. With the increase in immigrant family resettlements and past reference to Massachusetts as a “sanctuary state” by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the immigrants’ arrival at Martha’s Vineyard in September, this has left many Massachusetts residents wondering if Massachusetts is a sanctuary state. Although the term “sanctuary” does not have a universal legal definition, it generally refers to a state or city’s law enforcement that does not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.Massachusetts is not a sanctuary state and does not have it in the lawbook. Gov. Baker also has spoken out multiple times about opposing Massachusetts as a sanctuary state in statements and in state conventions. However, Massachusetts has a 2017 ruling from the Supreme Judicial Court that found the state law “provides no authority for Massachusetts court officers to arrest and hold an individual solely on the basis of a Federal civil immigration detainer.” This led organizations like the Centers for Immigration Studies to identify Massachusetts as a sanctuary state.Massachusetts does have official sanctuary cities that have passed and implemented laws that limit local interference with federal immigration enforcement to varying degrees. These cities include Cambridge, Boston, Northampton, Medford, Lexington and Amherst.