Tag: politics

May 6, 2026

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞.

This week, the Massachusetts Senate passed S.3072 by a 37-3 vote, advancing sweeping new protections that hinder federal immigration enforcement. My opponent, Senator Michael Rodrigues, voted Yes. As Senate Ways and Means Chair, he played a leading role in moving this bill forward. It now heads to committee negotiations and, in all likelihood, Governor Maura Healey’s desk for signature.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥-𝐏𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡. The bill restricts local and state police from assisting ICE in most immigration matters, especially civil (non-criminal) cases. It bans routine questions about immigration status, mandates judicial warrants for many enforcement actions, and dramatically expands “protected locations” where ICE operations are severely limited — schools, hospitals, courts, churches, childcare centers, and additional state property. It further expands legal remedies against federal agents and codifies non-cooperation.

This bill’s supporters frame this as promoting “trust” and “rule of law,” but the reality is selective enforcement that protects lawbreakers. My family immigrated legally after years of waiting. Like so many others still in line, we honored America’s process. This bill disrespects every legal immigrant and citizen who plays by the rules. It signals to the world that Massachusetts will make enforcement as difficult as possible, potentially drawing more illegal migration to our already overburdened state.

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬. Shelter costs approach $1 billion per year, with education, healthcare, and other services adding billions more in projected burdens. Legal families face overcrowded classrooms, strained emergency rooms, rising rents, and higher taxes. Meanwhile, Rodrigues’ vote prioritizes shielding those here illegally over relieving pressure on citizens.

I believe in law and order, secure borders, and equal application of our laws. I understand that borders without enforcement invite chaos. I stand unequivocally with law enforcement and fully support ICE’s mission. Police should be allowed — indeed encouraged — to cooperate with federal authorities to remove criminal offenders and uphold immigration law.

Rodrigues’ Yes vote fits a troubling pattern of putting national progressive priorities ahead of local needs. While Massachusetts struggles with high taxes, failing infrastructure, and a cost-of-living crisis, Beacon Hill Democrats expend energy creating safe havens that complicate legitimate enforcement and can endanger communities when criminals exploit sanctuary policies.

𝐈𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐈 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬:

– Full support for cooperation between local police and ICE.

– Prioritization of legal immigration and enforcement of existing laws.

– Protection of taxpayer resources for Massachusetts citizens and legal residents first.

– Rejection of policies that expand sanctuary protections at the expense of working families.

– Demand for real border security from Washington.

The contrast is unmistakable. Michael Rodrigues voted to advance barriers against federal immigration enforcement. I will fight to remove them and restore common-sense priorities.

Voters deserve leaders who put them first — not those who vote Yes on legislation that burdens citizens to benefit those who entered unlawfully. As we head into the election, I urge residents of the First Bristol-Plymouth District to reject Rodrigues’ approach and choose respect for the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and the legal American dream.

Massachusetts can do better. Legal residents and citizens must come first.

Ask Michael Rodrigues to explain his vote: