Springfield, MA Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance
- Ch. 415, Welcoming Community Trust
- Adopted
- January 14, 2019
- Detainer holds
- barred without judicial warrant
- Status inquiries
- barred absent legal requirement
- Applies to
- City of Springfield officials only
Summary
Springfield, Massachusetts city officials cannot question people about immigration status or hold someone past their release date on an ICE detainer request without a judicial criminal warrant.
A City official shall not question persons they encounter about their immigration status unless such inquiry is required by state or federal law or to provide a public benefit. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Springfield Police Department from using other investigatory tools to establish information about a suspect of crime.
B. A City official shall not target with legal action or discriminate against a medical, educational, or faith institution in their mission of providing refuge to immigrants and their families.
C. A City official shall not initiate an investigation or take law enforcement action, including regulatory action, on the basis of actual or perceived immigration status.
D. Notwithstanding § 415-3A and C above, a person's immigration status shall not prohibit or inhibit the City or any City official's participation in any government operation or program that confers an immigration benefit, or temporarily or permanently protects noncitizens from removal as provided through programs such as the U Visa, the T Visa, and the federal Violence Against Women Act.
E. When an individual is eligible for release from custody, a City official shall not detain nor delay the release of an individual on the basis of a civil immigration detainer request or an ICE administrative warrant, including a request pursuant to federal form I-247D, unless ICE has a criminal warrant, issued by a judicial officer, for the individual.
F.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
The City of Springfield's Welcoming Community Trust Ordinance, adopted by the City Council on January 14, 2019 (overriding a mayoral veto), bars city officials from asking about immigration status except when required by law or to provide a public benefit, and bars initiating law enforcement action based on actual or perceived immigration status. Officials may not detain someone past their release-eligibility date on a civil ICE detainer request or administrative warrant, nor share a detainee's release date, home address, or phone number with ICE, unless ICE presents a criminal warrant signed by a judge. The Council can require an annual reporting to the Council on detainer requests received.
Violations & Fines
The chapter is a directive to city officials rather than a fine schedule; noncompliant officials are subject to the City's internal policies, and the Council can compel annual reporting on detainer requests, holds, and ICE custody transfers under § 415-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Springfield, Massachusetts police ask about someone's immigration status?
Will Springfield hold someone in jail for ICE on a detainer request?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
Compare Springfield to another location·View the Massachusetts immigration policy overview
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