Healey refuses to alter RMV policy that denies undercover license plates to ICE

"Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, who leads the Department of Justice's Civil Division, sent a letter to Healey earlier this week demanding that she require the RMV to rescind its policy around the issuance of confidential, or undercover, license plates and registrations to vehicles used by immigration enforcement agents."

"The RMV is actively refusing to issue these plates to most ICE vehicles, according to Shumate's letter. ICE has two main law enforcement divisions: Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations. HSI investigates transnational crime, while ERO is responsible for detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. The RMV is only issuing confidential plates to some HSI vehicles, after it certifies that the vehicles will only be used in active criminal investigations, according to Shumate's letter."

""This discriminatory policy is not only deeply dangerous as a matter of public safety but also blatantly unlawful as a matter of constitutional law. It should be immediately withdrawn; otherwise, the United States intends to seek judicial relief," Shumate wrote."

""Massachusetts is not going to allow state resources to be used to help ICE operate in secret while they are violating people's rights and making us all less safe. Any federal, state or local agency engaging in legitimate criminal law enforcement work can r"

The Trump administration threatens legal action against Massachusetts because the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles refuses to issue confidential, or undercover, license plates and registrations to many ICE vehicles. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate sent a letter to Gov. Maura Healey demanding rescission of the RMV policy. The RMV issues confidential plates only to some vehicles used by Homeland Security Investigations after certification that the vehicles will be used in active criminal investigations. Shumate claims the policy is discriminatory, dangerous to public safety, and unlawful under constitutional law, and warns the United States will seek judicial relief. Healey does not change course and says Massachusetts will not use state resources to help ICE operate in secret while violating rights and making communities less safe.

Read at Boston.com