Do Now:
If you’re in MA, save the LUCE Defense Hotline (617-370-5023) in your phone.
If You See ICE:
- If you think you see ICE, contact the LUCE Defense Hotline (617-370-5023), run by the LUCE Immigration Justice Network of Massachusetts, and they will work to verify the presence of ICE.
- Maintain a reasonable distance from the encounter. Anyone alleged to have obstructed, impeded, or assaulted an ICE agent may be criminally prosecuted.
- You have the Constitutional right to observe ICE agents and to take notes and/or video record the encounter from a reasonable distance.
- You may ask the ICE agent questions such as: Is this person being detained? Are they under arrest? What is the reason? Do you have a judicial warrant? Can I see it? Where are you taking them? What agency do you work for? What are your names and badge numbers? How can the person’s family or lawyer contact you?
- You may ask the detainee questions such as: Do you have an immigration lawyer I can call for you? Is there a family member you would like me to call?If you’re questioned by ICE agents, you have the right to remain silent. You are not required to answer questions about your own immigration status or the status of another person.
Demand Webcams at Hanscom
The De-ICE Hanscom Coalition’s team of Habeas Flight Verifiers has documented 114 ICE flights from Hanscom Field since October 7, 2025. By counting the SUVs, vans, and buses used to transport detainees, they estimate that between 2,221 and 4,310 New England residents have passed through Hanscom Field on these flights.
Many of these people have no criminal record and have had no bond hearing or access to legal counsel. Hanscom Field is owned and operated by Massport. The coalition is asking Massport to install a publicly viewable webcam system so that lawyers can identify their clients and families can locate their loved ones.
A similar system has monitored ICE flights at King County Airport in Seattle since 2023, providing a strong precedent for this request. We urge you to write postcards to Governor Healey and the Massport board demanding webcams for ICE flights at Hanscom.
You are welcome to DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE POSTCARD DESIGN AND SCRIPTS for your next group meeting or get in touch with the Coalition at hanscomicestandout@gmail.com to get copies.
De-ICE Hanscom
Massachusetts residents are being removed from our state through charter flights from the civilian side of Hanscom Field without access to counsel or family support, violating their due process rights under our State Constitution.
It is critical that Massport and Governor Healey hear from residents asking them to take action to stop ICE flights from operating at Hanscom Field. Go to https://lexingtonalarm.org/stop-massport-ice-flights-campaign/ to find pre-written letters ready to send today to make your voice heard.
The De-ICE Hanscom website has additional actions you can take.
Be a Physical Presence:
- Join a vigil outside the ICE field office in Burlington on every day except Sunday. See our events page for more information on Bearing Witness and other sponsoring groups. Learn about the conditions at the Burlington Facility HERE.
- Stand out with De-ICE Hanscom every Friday from 1:30-3pm at the Hanscom rotary to protest ICE transport flights from Hanscom Field.
- Join a Visibility Brigade to provide physical messaging in the real world to connect with and activate voters to demonstrate that resistance is possible.
- Join local group Heatwave in their attempts to hold ICE accountable to local entities by joining their “Black Tie Soiree” every other Friday at Cafe Escadrille, 26 Cambridge St., Burlington, MA from 4:30-6:30pm. The owner of Cafe Escadrille also owns the ICE Field Office building at 1000 District Ave. He has been silent on the abuses occurring in his building, and has not aided the Town’s efforts to inspect for zoning & safety violations.
Find Your Legislators & Support Important Legislation
Below, you will find legislation that Lincoln Witness supports at the State and Federal levels along with help finding your senators and representatives at both levels and tips for contacting them.
Finding Your State Legislator
Finding Your Members in the U.S. Congress
Website with Contact information for Gov. Maura Healy and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll
Tips for Contacting Elected Officials from the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Actions and Legislation:
Federal Level
THE VISIBLE ACT would require immigration enforcement officers to clearly display visible identification during public enforcement actions and is crucial for the safety of all people. Call or write to your U.S. senator and U.S. representative in support of S.2212 (the Senate bill) and H.R.4298 (the House bill). Click the arrow above to see our suggested letter available for you to customize.
Dear ____________________:
I urge you to cosponsor the VISIBLE Act (S.2212/H.R.4298) and to work for its passage. This bill would require immigration enforcement officers to clearly display visible identification during public enforcement actions and is crucial for the safety of all people.
As they carry out the Trump Administration’s mass deportations, enforcement personnel have been wearing unmarked tactical gear and clothing that conceal their faces, obscuring agency affiliation and personal identity. This trend is dangerous for everyone. Without visible badges, names, or insignia, there is no way for the public to know whether legitimate government officials are detaining people or bad actors. Criminals can easily impersonate law enforcement to deceive victims and bystanders alike. The VISIBLE Act helps to protect people from criminals taking advantage of a lack of transparency.
Every person, regardless or origin, has the basic right to know who is detaining them and why. Furthermore, ICE and other enforcement agents can act with impunity when they are not required to be identifiable. Agents in plain clothes, wearing face masks, and providing no identification terrorizes immigrant communities, it breeds fear and distrust, and it violates basic due process rights valued by Americans.
Some would argue that hiding their faces protects federal agents, but their anonymity creates an atmosphere of fear and confusion that erodes trust between them and the public. This leads to miscommunication and decreased officer credibility. Therefore, the VISIBLE Act would also increase officer safety.
Please support this important legislation.
Sincerely,