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Boston Considers Immigration Enforcement Proposal

The Boston City Council is considering an ordinance backed by Mayor Martin Walsh that would bar police from detaining people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, unless they are wanted for serious crimes.

City Councilor Josh Zakim formally introduced the measure, known as the Trust Act, at the council's Wednesday meeting.

The proposal, which was referred to the council's Government Operations Committee, is similar to measures filed in other states and cities, including Somerville and the Massachusetts Legislature.

Specifically, the ordinance would stop police from holding people with immigration violations for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless the agency has a criminal warrant or the person has been convicted of a violent crime, is a registered sex offender or is on the federal government's Terrorist Watchlist.

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