Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and regional leaders address ICE operations in Massachusetts at downtown press conference
Regional leaders plan joint briefing amid debate over immigration enforcement tactics
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and a group of municipal leaders from Greater Boston are scheduled to hold a joint press conference Thursday at 1 p.m. in downtown Boston to address federal immigration enforcement activity in Massachusetts and outline local government responses.
The event is framed by participating officials as a coordinated message of support for residents and a critique of what they describe as unlawful or unconstitutional enforcement actions tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The mayors and city managers are expected to discuss steps their communities are taking to respond to federal operations and to describe how municipal policies will be applied when immigration-related activity occurs in their jurisdictions.
Who is expected to participate
In addition to Wu, the list of confirmed speakers includes Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang, Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, Newton Mayor Marc Laredo, and Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson.
State actions add new context for local leaders
The press conference comes as Massachusetts state government has moved to tighten limits on when and where federal civil immigration enforcement can occur in connection with state facilities and programs.
On January 29, 2026, Gov. Maura Healey’s administration announced a legislative package aimed at restricting civil immigration enforcement activity in locations such as schools, child care programs, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship. At the same time, the governor signed an executive order limiting new 287(g) agreements—arrangements that can authorize collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities—unless a defined public safety need is certified. The order also set restrictions on civil arrests in non-public areas of state facilities absent a judicial warrant or order and barred use of state property as a staging area for civil immigration enforcement.
Municipal policy moves continue across Massachusetts
Some cities have recently updated their own policies regarding municipal interactions with federal immigration enforcement. On February 4, 2026, Worcester officials announced amendments to the city’s policy governing municipal engagement with federal immigration activity. The updated rules prohibit the use of municipal property—including parks, open spaces, parking areas, and city buildings—for staging or preparing federal civil immigration enforcement actions. Worcester also stated it will not enter into 287(g) agreements and added procedures related to verifying federal agents on scene and releasing body-worn camera footage that captures civil immigration enforcement activity.
What to watch for at the briefing
Thursday’s press conference is expected to focus on how local governments interpret their legal authority in the context of civil immigration enforcement, how municipal employees and local police are expected to respond during federal operations, and what measures leaders say they are taking to preserve community safety and access to public services.
- Operational guidance for city staff and public-facing agencies
- Limits on the use of local property, resources, and facilities
- Local coordination across neighboring municipalities
- Interaction between municipal rules and state-level directives
The regional appearance signals an effort by municipal leaders to present a unified posture as state and local policies evolve in response to shifting federal immigration enforcement practices.
The 1 p.m. event is expected to include prepared remarks and may include questions from reporters.