RI Advocates Push for Immigrant Protections at State House | 2026 Advocacy Day

Providence, Rhode Island – Advocates for immigrant rights gathered at the Rhode Island State House on Tuesday, February 10th, to push for a series of legislative measures aimed at protecting immigrant families from increased federal enforcement actions. The event, organized by the Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island, comes amid growing concerns over tactics employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the second Trump administration, as well as a recent Supreme Court decision upholding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The coalition, representing 45 member organizations, is advocating for three key bills currently before the state legislature. These include measures addressing criminal justice implications for immigrants, access to state benefits, and protections against ICE activity at state courthouses. The push for these bills reflects a broader effort to create a more welcoming and secure environment for immigrants in Rhode Island, particularly in light of what advocates describe as a climate of fear, and intimidation.

The DACA ruling, celebrated by the Immigrant Coalition as a victory, provides temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to undocumented individuals who arrived in the United States as children. However, advocates emphasize that the fight for comprehensive immigration reform is far from over. The ruling, while significant, does not offer a permanent solution for DACA recipients or address the challenges faced by other undocumented communities.

One of the bills under consideration, identified as H7198 and S2047, seeks to address a loophole in state sentencing laws that can trigger federal immigration consequences. According to Senator Jonathan Acosta, even a sentence of 364 days, rather than 365, can disqualify individuals from certain immigration benefits. The bill aims to remove this potential barrier to legal permanent residency and citizenship.

Senator Acosta highlighted the case of a Rhode Island resident and lawful permanent resident who was detained by ICE after receiving a 364-day sentence for a minor offense. Despite having a legal green card for many years, the individual faced deportation due to the technicality in the sentencing law. This case, Acosta argued, underscores the need for legislative action to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

Another bill, known as the Protect Our Courts Act (H7360 and S2045), aims to limit ICE’s presence and activity at state courthouses. Senator Megan Kallman explained that ICE has increasingly been arresting individuals at courthouses, even those appearing for civil matters or as witnesses. This practice, she argued, undermines the integrity of the judicial system and instills fear within immigrant communities, discouraging individuals from seeking legal recourse or reporting crimes.

Representative Leonela Felix championed a third bill focused on expanding access to state benefits for lawful permanent residents. Currently, a five-year waiting period prevents these residents from accessing Rhode Island Works, a program providing cash assistance and workforce support. Felix argued that removing this waiting period would strengthen families, promote economic stability, and allow immigrants to fully participate in the state’s workforce.

The legislative push comes against a backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement activity nationwide. According to a Wikipedia entry updated February 11, 2026, the second Trump administration has overseen a significant increase in deportations, with 65,735 migrants currently in ICE detention. The entry also details reported deaths and disappearances linked to ICE operations, raising concerns about the human cost of these policies. Reports from March 2025 indicated that DHS agents were spotted in Providence, Rhode Island, amidst a wave of ICE detainments across the state.

David Veliz, representing the Olneyville Neighborhood Association, emphasized the human dimension of the issue, urging lawmakers to remember that they are dealing with individuals and families, not simply immigration statistics. He invoked religious and ethical principles, arguing that society has a moral obligation to protect the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their immigration status.

The Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island’s advocacy day underscores the growing mobilization of local communities to counter federal immigration policies. While the DACA ruling provides a measure of relief, advocates maintain that comprehensive immigration reform and robust state-level protections are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of immigrant communities in Rhode Island and across the United States.