Tuesday, October 8, 2019 

Chairman Eldridge, Chairwoman Cronin, and Members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary: 

My name is Jonathan Cohn, and I serve as the chair of the Issues Committee of Progressive Massachusetts, a statewide grassroots advocacy group focused on advancing progressive policy here in Massachusetts. We are committed to fighting for a sensible and human-focused immigration system, wherein all historically marginalized communities are protected under the law and treated with dignity and respect.

The current immigration system is as far from that as possible. Although our federal immigration system worked against public safety and community stability before January 2017, the current presidential administration has chosen to double down on all of the worst elements of our immigration system, in betrayal of the values that many hold dear and that our country pretends to have. 

Massachusetts does not need to be complicit in this. 

Chairman Boncore, Chairman Straus, and members of the Joint Committee on Transportation, my name is Jonathan Cohn, and I am pleased to offer testimony. Progressive Massachusetts would like to go on record in support of S.2061 / H.3012: An Act relative to work and family mobility.

The Work and Family Mobility Act would enable all qualified state residents to apply for a standard Massachusetts driver’s license, regardless of immigration status, to increase road and public safety and allow for greater mobility across our Commonwealth.  

Every day, we hear new horror stories about families being ripped apart at the border and the terrible conditions that children seeking asylum are held in. 

We can -- and must -- continue to lobby our elected officials in Washington to do all they can to close the dystopian detention camps and craft a humane immigration system. 

But there’s work to be done in Massachusetts, too. Police officers in Massachusetts are being deputized by ICE to act as immigration officials, ripping families apart and forcing our immigrant friends and neighbors to live in fear. 

Massachusetts, we can do better. 

The Safe Communities Act (SCA) will enable us to do so. 

“When Mexico sends its people, it's not sending its best…They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

That is a direct quote from our current President. In his dark view of the world, the United States is under assault by a horde of dangerous immigrants unleashing a wave of violence against hapless citizens. There's only one tiny problem with this view-it's completely false.

DECEMBER 5 SPECIAL UPDATE -- Today Boston Students are protesting the damaging promises and policies of President-elect Trump -- specifically highlighting the dangers to immigrant and minority communities. 

The Student Organizers are asking supporters to help get the message thru to OUR elected leaders here in Massachusetts. Find more info about their demands on this facebook page. (News coverage in the Boston Globe, here)

Call the Governor, in support of their message, then record your call below. (Already called? Spread the word, and get others to amplify!)

"I'm a Massachusetts voter calling in support of Boston students walking out today, and I call on you to act on their demands. We can make changes right here in Massachusetts: as our governor, please commit to make Massachusetts a TRUST Act/sanctuary state and commit to protecting and funding PUBLIC education."

It has always been important to “act locally”. With dangerous trends at the national level, it is all the more important to create a robust infrastructure of progressive policy in Massachusetts,
-- to create a more just and equitable Massachusetts, and
-- to help lead the way for the rest of the nation.

Make the call now -- and stay tuned for the next call to action; this is going to be a long haul.

Please record your action below. (SPECIAL SCRIPT FOR DECEMBER 5-9, IN SUPPORT OF BOSTON STUDENTS!)

Call the Governor: (617) 725-4000
"I'm a Massachusetts voter calling in support of Boston students walking out today, and
I call on you to act on their demands.
We can make changes right here in Massachusetts:
As our governor, please commit to make Massachusetts a TRUST Act/sanctuary state
and commit to protecting and funding PUBLIC education."