U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in collaboration with federal and local law enforcement, conducted a sweeping operation across Massachusetts. The initiative resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,500 criminal illegal foreign nationals, marking the largest enforcement operation of its kind in the state’s history.
The month-long operation primarily targeted transnational organized crime, violent criminal gangs, and individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws.
Focus of the Operation
The operation, led by ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Boston, saw agents working with several federal partners, including the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, the Diplomatic Security Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The mission was specifically aimed at apprehending foreign nationals with criminal histories and those involved in transnational criminal activities. This operation included targeting violent gangs such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and the 18th Street gang, who were known to operate in and around the Boston area.
Patricia Hyde, Acting Field Office Director for ICE ERO Boston, emphasized that the individuals arrested were not only violating U.S. immigration laws but were also involved in serious criminal activities, including murder, rape, drug trafficking, child sex crimes, and more. Many of these offenders had either been convicted of violent crimes or were wanted internationally for serious criminal offenses.
Key Statistics from the Operation
- Total arrests: 1,461 criminal illegal foreign nationals
- Criminal Convictions: Over 50% had criminal charges or convictions in the U.S. or abroad
- Foreign Arrest Warrants: 790 individuals had criminal charges abroad, including those with Interpol Red Notices
- Immigration Detainers: 277 of the individuals arrested had previously received removal orders from immigration judges but failed to comply
Notable Arrests:
The enforcement operation led to the apprehension of individuals from various countries who were involved in severe criminal activities:
- Brazil: A criminal charged with aggravated rape of a child, possession of child pornography, assault, and kidnapping, along with a drug trafficker wanted by Interpol.
- Colombia: A man with felony charges including kidnapping, aggravated rape, and narcotics trafficking who fled Colombia to avoid a 14-year prison sentence.
- Ecuador: A convicted murderer who had been released into the community after failing to comply with an ICE detainer request.
- El Salvador: A man wanted for aggravated homicide and robbery, along with others involved in child sex crimes and trafficking.
- Guatemala: A registered sex offender facing charges related to sexual assault of minors and trafficking for sexual servitude. Another individual was a convicted murderer.
- Honduras: A criminal with a history of sexual assault, kidnapping, and witness intimidation, as well as several other serious charges.
- Uruguay: A 69-year-old registered sex offender convicted of indecent assault on a young child.
Targeting Communities Across Massachusetts
The operation was not confined to Boston alone. Federal authorities also conducted raids in smaller communities, including Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, where they arrested 40 illegal aliens. These included a child sex predator and a member of a violent transnational gang. The U.S. Coast Guard played a key role in transporting the detainees off the islands.
Challenges in Cooperation with Local Authorities
The operation was complicated by the refusal of local jurisdictions to honor immigration detainer requests. In many cases, local authorities chose to release individuals who were subjects of detainers rather than handing them over to federal agents. As a result, ICE agents had to conduct at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities, further stretching the resources and increasing the risk to public safety.
The enforcement operation in Massachusetts highlights the ongoing efforts of ICE and federal law enforcement agencies to combat transnational crime and ensure that individuals who break both immigration and criminal laws face consequences. Despite local resistance, federal authorities remain committed to enforcing the law and protecting communities across the state. The arrests of nearly 1,500 criminal foreign nationals reflect the seriousness of the operation and its broad impact on public safety.
