Calls on Healey to Support Bipartisan Legislation Cracking Down on Cop Assaulters

BOSTON, MA - The Massachusetts Republican Party is calling on Gov. Maura Healey to support bipartisan legislation that would enhance civil and criminal penalties for protestors who assault police officers and other first responders, such as those arrested last week during an ICE raid in the City of Worcester. 

Healey’s silence is empowering municipalities like Worcester, where the city manager instructed city employees last week to ignore ICE requests to hold suspects based on civil immigration detainers. Worcester’s executive order was highlighted Sunday on X by Trump White House immigration advisor Stephen Miller. 

The lack of cooperation is forcing ICE agents to conduct raids without giving advance notice to local officials. During a raid in Worcester last week, protestors and a school board candidate were arrested for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon against federal officers. 

On Monday, State Representatives Steve Xiarhos (R-Barnstable) and Richard Wells (D-Milton), both former police officers, filed legislation that would enhance penalties for bystanders who interfere with police operations across Massachusetts. 

“The issue of illegal immigration is at the forefront of voters’ concerns, and Maura Healey can do more than offer to ‘carefully review’ what bills reach her desk - she can actively stump for this commonsense legislation that says if you attack cops in Massachusetts, you go to jail,” said MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale. “Doing so would help restore the lack of trust between the Commonwealth and the Trump administration, so at the very least we may repeal state legislation banning our officers from honoring ICE detainers for dangerous suspects.” 

BACKGROUND:

• On May 16, Worcester City Manager Eric Batista released an executive order instructing city officers to ignore federal immigration detainers. (This Week in Worcester, 5/16/25)

• The EO was highlighted by White House immigration advisor Stephen Miller and drew responses from U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, former of the Boston division. (Miller Tweet, 5/19/25) (Justice.gov, 5/14/25) (ICE.gov, 5/15/25)

• Days after the ICE raid in Worcester was disrupted, ICE revealed that members of MS-13 were swept up as part of sting operations across Massachusetts last week. (Breitbart, 5/16/25)

• Reps. Xiarhos and Wells have filed legislation that would increase the penalty of first-time obstruction against officers to $1,000; repeat offenders could face a $5,000 penalty and jail time. (Boston Herald, 5/19/25)