Judge orders Massachusetts sheriff to hand ICE detainee records to ACLU
Summary
A Massachusetts judge has ordered the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office to give the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) hundreds of anonymous health records of immigrant detainees held in a local jail. The court ruled that the sheriff’s office, despite its contract with federal immigration authorities, must follow state public records laws.Key Facts
- Judge James Budreau issued the order for the release of detainee health records.
- The records involve immigrant detainees at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.
- The sheriff’s office had refused to release the records, citing federal law.
- The ACLU argued that state public records law applies to the sheriff’s office.
- The sheriff’s office is a state agency, though it holds immigrant detainees under a federal contract.
- The judge said the state’s right to oversee health and safety in state facilities is not overridden by federal immigration law.
- This case is described as “novel” because it addresses state versus federal law on record keeping.
- The ACLU filed a motion to force the release, and the judge will finalize his decision within 30 days if no further hearing is requested.
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