‘Sanctuary city’ raid rounds up over 200 migrant criminals: ICE
In a recent operation conducted by the U.S. Customs and Enforcement agency (ICE) in Massachusetts, nearly 400 arrests were made, with over 200 illegal immigrants apprehended for serious criminal convictions or charges. The operation, which took place between March 18 and March 23, resulted in the arrest of 370 illegal immigrants in the Boston area. Among those arrested, 205 individuals had significant criminal convictions or charges, including six who were facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde emphasized the importance of removing these criminal alien offenders from the streets of Massachusetts, making the Commonwealth a safer place for residents to live and work. The six-day operation specifically targeted egregious criminal alien offenders, including members of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua operating in and around Boston.
Despite Boston’s status as a sanctuary city, where local cooperation with federal immigration authorities is restricted, ICE and law enforcement partners were able to carry out the operation successfully. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has faced criticism over her sanctuary city policies, but she has remained steadfast in her commitment to protecting illegal immigrants in the city.
The operation involved collaboration between ICE agents and personnel from several federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and DSS. Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Jodi Cohen emphasized the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the immigration and citizenship process to protect public safety and national security.
Among those arrested in the operation were individuals with troubling criminal histories, including a Dominican migrant charged with trafficking fentanyl, a Chilean migrant convicted of indecent assault and battery on a child, and a Honduran migrant convicted of rape of a child. Additionally, federal authorities seized significant quantities of methamphetamines, fentanyl, and cocaine during the raid.
ICE and federal law enforcement partners are committed to eradicating transnational criminal organizations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making communities safer for residents. The operation in Massachusetts serves as a testament to their dedication to ensuring public safety and national security.
Mayor Wu’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the operation. Michael Lee, a writer for Fox News, covered the story and provided insights on the significance of the operation in Massachusetts. The collaborative efforts of ICE and federal agencies demonstrate the ongoing commitment to enforcing immigration laws and combating criminal activities in the United States.
