Relative to sanctuary cities and towns

This bill proposes that cities and towns in Massachusetts cannot adopt policies that prevent employees from checking or sharing information about someone's immigration status with the federal government. If a city or town does not comply with this requirement, the state may reduce their government funding. The bill allows certain officials to enforce compliance by taking legal action.

MA H2309 is a house bill in the Massachusetts 194th General Court, sponsored by Marc Lombardo (R), currently “Introduced” since February 27, 2025.

We track 6,364 Massachusetts bills this session, 18 of them sponsored by Marc Lombardo.

Supporters of this bill would likely claim that it reinforces federal immigration law and ensures cooperation between local and federal authorities. They would argue that it promotes public safety by encouraging the sharing of information about immigration status, and holds political subdivisions accountable by linking non-compliance to financial penalties.

Critics of the bill may argue that it undermines the autonomy of local governments to set their own policies about immigration enforcement. They might contend that it imposes a punitive measure that financially harms cities and towns, and could create a division between community members and local officials, possibly discouraging immigrant communities from reporting crimes.