Hearing DetailsJoint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Event Details

Status:

Completed

Event Date:

Monday, November 17, 2025

Start Time:

1:00 PM

Location:

A-2 and Virtual

Event Description

“Responding to Federal Immigration Enforcement”

The purpose of this informational hearing is to consider the impact of federal immigration enforcement on Massachusetts and what the Legislature can do in response. Although numerous bills have been filed on the subject of immigrants’ rights, this hearing is not about pending legislation. Instead, the Committee will hear from witnesses who have been invited to answer specific questions about federal immigration enforcement. The testimony will be used to issue findings about the impact of federal immigration enforcement on Massachusetts and to develop an array of potential legislative responses. The public is invited to attend and observe the hearing. However, Oral Testimony is by Invitation Only.

Confirmed Witnesses Include:

Leah Hastings, Staff Attorney, Prisoners' Legal Services

Danny Timpona, Organizing Director, Neighbor 2 Neighbor / LUCE Network

David Albright, Director of Policy and Advocacy, JALSA

Joshua Dankoff, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Citizens for Juvenile Justice

Kade Crockford, Director Technology for Liberty Program, ACLU

Bridget Lavender, Staff Attorney, State Democracy Research Initiative, University of Wisconsin Law School (virtual)

Gladys Vega, Executive Director, La Collaborative

Dr. Geraldine Gabeau, Executive Director, Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI)

Nicole Eigbrett, Co-Executive Director, AARW

Liz Sweet, Executive Director, MIRA

Amy Grunder, Government Affairs, MIRA

The hearing will be livestreamed on the General Court's website, https://malegislature.gov/. It will be recorded and posted publicly at the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion webpage.

Written Testimony may be submitted by any member of the public prior to, or by close of business on Friday, November 21, 2025. Testimony should be addressed to House Chair, Bud L. Williams and Senate Chair, Elizabeth Miranda and may be submitted by email to Brendan.Morris@mahouse.gov or by sending correspondence to:

Rep. Bud L. Williams, House Chair

Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Massachusetts State House

Attn: Brendan Morris, Esq.

24 Beacon Street, Room 236

Boston, MA 02133

All written testimony received by the Committee will be made publicly available, provided however, the Chairs may limit and redact testimony that includes sensitive personal information or information that may jeopardize the health, wellness or safety of the testifier or others.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

The Committee will work to coordinate reasonable accommodation required to ensure that people with disabilities are able to participate fully in the hearing process. Requests for accessibility of accommodations, such as assistive listening devices and systems, sign language interpreting services, closed captioning and transcription services, will be provided upon request. Requests for services should be submitted by completing the state house accessibility form, https://malegislature.gov/StateHouse/AccessibilityForm/. You may also make a request by email to: Carl Richardson at carl.richardson@mass.gov.

Please be advised that the schedule and agenda are subject to change at the agreement of the Chairs.

If you have Accessibility needs, click here.

Item Name	Start Time	Duration	Webcast
Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion - 11-17-2025	11/17/2025 1:00 PM	03:11:16

Present (12)

Liz Miranda (SEN)

Bud L. Williams (HOU)

Joanne M. Comerford (SEN)

Julian Cyr (SEN)

Kip A. Diggs (HOU)

Adam Gómez (SEN)

Russell E. Holmes (HOU)

Vanna Howard (HOU)

Robyn K. Kennedy (SEN)

Orlando Ramos (HOU)

Erika Uyterhoeven (HOU)

Donald H. Wong (HOU)

Absent (4)

David F. DeCoste (HOU) *

Mary S. Keefe (HOU) *

Rita A. Mendes (HOU) *

Amy Mah Sangiolo (HOU) *

Hearing DetailsJoint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

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