Earlier this week I sat in my car with great sadness as I welled up with tears, listening to lawyers talk about the horrific conditions for immigrant children in detention. When a lice outbreak occurred in a holding cell for 20 girls, they were forced to share 2 combs with each other to remove the lice (contradictory to all instructions for removing lice). When one of the combs was lost they were punished by the removal of their blankets and pillows, left in an icebox room to sleep on the floors. Or the stories of the little kids who smelled so badly their lawyers could barely sit next to them because they hadn’t been bathed or able to change their clothes in weeks, or were left covered in their own feces because of the lack of diapers and unsanitary conditions. To not feel sad or angry is to be disconnected from what is happening in our country in our name.

Today I sat with a courageous woman giving voice to those who can't come forward to share their stories. She told me about her life at the hands of her abuser who weaponized her immigration status, leaving her terrified to seek help. She survived the physical consequences of abuse but is still dealing with the emotional trauma. She left her country, like most immigrants, looking for a safer life for her children. As I listened we both fought back tears, unsuccessfully. We talked about ways Massachusetts can lean into legislation to make life safer for immigrants, including undocumented immigrants. We need to send a message of hope to our immigrant community - you are wanted, you are seen, you are heard.

While we can't as an individual state put a stop to the atrocities being committed at the border by the federal government, I will continue to work with my colleagues to continue doing what we can here in Massachusetts. We are a state that has been and will continue to be a beacon of hope and support for those who need it the most. ... See MoreSee Less

5 hours ago  ·