Senator Jamie Eldridge Receives Campeón Award from Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus
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Boston, MA – On Thursday September 25, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) was honored with the Campeón Award by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) in recognition of his consistent advocacy on behalf of Black and Latino residents across the Commonwealth.
This legislative session, Senator Eldridge has advanced policies to protect and uplift Black and Latino communities, including immigrant communities. He continues to lead on the Safe Communities Act, legislation he has championed since 2017, which strengthens public safety by ensuring immigrant rights are respected. The bill prohibits 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), preventing the misuse of local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement.
At a time when ICE activity in Massachusetts has increased, the Safe Communities Act seeks to build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, ensuring that residents feel safe reporting crimes and can access fair trials without fear of immigration consequences.
In addition to the Safe Communities Act, Sen. Eldridge championed the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund and the Dignity Not Deportation Act. The Immigrant Legal Defense Fund provides legal assistance to immigrants facing civil court cases, as access to a lawyer can mean the difference between keeping a family together or seeing it separated. The Dignity Not Deportation Act prevents local law enforcement from renting beds to ICE or sharing personnel resources, ensuring that Massachusetts does not waste its resources fueling a federal deportation machine.
Senator Eldridge has also been a strong advocate for Black and Latino communities in the areas of helping small business owners, housing, education, and improved representation, both at the State House, in the Middlesex and Worcester district that he represents, and across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Senator Eldridge received the award during the MBLLC’s “Latino Excellence on the Hill” ceremony, which celebrated leaders in the Latino community for their commitment to justice, unity, and representative democracy. As part of the event, Senator Eldridge nominated Eloa Celedon of Marlborough, an immigration attorney originally from Brazil, who has courageously represented undocumented immigrants detained by ICE during the Trump Administration.
“My district itself is a testament to what Campeón means. I see immigrant parents working two jobs so their kids can thrive in our schools. I see small business owners keeping Main Streets alive. I see neighbors who bring their traditions, their language, and their food, enriching the whole community. Their leadership, resilience always inspires me,” said Senator Eldridge. “As our Commonwealth grows more diverse, we must ensure our laws, our budgets, and our institutions reflect that reality. Equity and representation are not abstract goals, they’re commitments we owe to every family who has built a life here in Massachusetts.”
“Senator Eldridge has consistently stood with our communities not only through his words, but through his actions," said Tomás O’Brien, Executive Director of the MBLLC. "His leadership on the Safe Communities Act and other key initiatives reflects a deep understanding of the systemic barriers impacting the Latino community. We are proud to honor him with this year’s Campeón Award, and we look forward to more collaboration in the future, and to ensuring the caucus remains a strong voice for every member of the Massachusetts Latino family.”
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