The Boston Trust Act, enacted in 2014 and strengthened in 2019, restricts Boston Police from using city resources to enforce federal civil immigration law and from honoring most ICE detainer requests absent a judicial warrant.
Codified in Boston Code Ch. 12, the Trust Act bars the Boston Police Department from arresting or detaining individuals solely on the basis of an ICE administrative detainer, civil immigration warrant, or removal order. Officers may not inquire into immigration status during routine encounters and may not transport persons to federal custody on civil immigration grounds. The 2019 update tightened restrictions on information sharing through the Boston Regional Intelligence Center. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's 2017 Lunn decision separately held that state and local officers lack authority to make civil immigration arrests under state law.
Violations are addressed administratively through BPD discipline, civil rights complaints, and lawsuits under MGL Ch. 12 §11I and federal §1983 claims; no criminal penalty attaches to officers for non-compliance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Boston, MA
Boston has no general ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, statues, or yard decorations on private residential property. Decorations must stay within proper...
Boston, MA
Boston has no specific ordinance regulating inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Inflatables must not encroach on sidewalks, block pu...
Boston, MA
Boston does not have a dedicated ordinance regulating holiday lighting on private residential property. General nuisance, electrical safety, and historic dis...
Boston, MA
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Boston require Inspectional Services Department permits when they include gas, plumbing, electrical, or structural work. Built-...
Boston, MA
Boston treats smokers and solid-fuel grills (wood, pellet, charcoal) the same as charcoal grills under Massachusetts Fire Code 527 CMR 1.00. Use on balconies...
Boston, MA
Boston's Fire Prevention Code (527 CMR 1.00, Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code) prohibits the use or storage of LP-gas grills and propane cylinder...
See how Boston's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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