Massachusetts Governor says they will ‘absolutely not’ comply with Trump’s order in deporting illegal immigrants

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced Wednesday on MSNBC that her state will refuse to comply with the incoming Trump administration’s potential push for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

In an interview with Lawrence O’Donnell, Healey stated unequivocally, “No, absolutely not,” when asked if the Massachusetts State Police would assist federal authorities in mass deportation efforts.

Healey elaborated on the broader pressures that state leaders may face as the administration seeks to implement new immigration policies.

“It’s important to recognize that there’s going to be a lot of pressure on states and state officials,” she said. “We’re going to work really hard to deliver.”

Healey also noted that the legal landscape has changed since Trump’s first term, indicating that while litigation may arise, states also possess significant regulatory and legislative options to protect residents.

“Every tool in the toolbox has got to be used to protect our citizens, to protect our residents, and certainly to hold the line on democracy and the rule of law,” she added, underscoring Massachusetts’ commitment to opposing what she views as potential federal overreach.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to take strong measures to reduce illegal immigration, a promise that resonated with a significant portion of the electorate.

Polling data from early October indicates that 59 percent of Americans support Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants.

This stance was largely driven by concerns over the record influx of migrants under the Biden administration.

Massachusetts, a sanctuary state, has been among the states most affected by these migration patterns, receiving a substantial increase in undocumented residents over recent years.

According to a report from the Center for Immigration Studies, Massachusetts faces what it calls a “fiscal time bomb” due to the increasing costs associated with providing services to the undocumented population.

The state has allocated hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds to cover housing, healthcare, and welfare programs, straining local resources.

In August, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported a record 44,000 deportation cases filed in the first nine months of the 2024 fiscal year, signaling a rise in federal efforts to manage immigration enforcement.

Healey’s stance reflects a growing tension between federal immigration policies and states with sanctuary protections.

As she emphasized, Massachusetts intends to utilize state legislative measures and executive powers to counter federal deportation demands, reflecting the broader resistance among sanctuary states to Trump’s immigration agenda.

By Max Walker

Max Walker is an independent journalist covering politics, corruption, crime, and the economy.

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