ICE begins immigration crackdown in Massachusetts with Patriot 2.0
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is once again targeting Massachusetts with another immigration crackdown.
The Department of Homeland Security is now launching what they call Patriot 2.0. The New York Times was first to report the announcement.
"ICE launched 'Patriot 2.0' to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens living in the state of Massachusetts, following the success of Operation Patriot in May," Homeland Security said in a statement Sunday.
"Sanctuary policies like those pushed by Mayor Wu not only attract and harbor criminals but also place these public safety threats above the interests of law-abiding American citizens. ICE is arresting sex offenders, pedophiles, murderers, drug dealers, and gang members released by local authorities."
The operation began just days before the Trump administration was expected to start an immigration crackdown in Chicago.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has consistently pushed back against federal immigration enforcement in the city.
"They are wrong on the law, and they are wrong on safety. This is why Boston has been the target. Boston is going to continue to uphold the Boston Trust Act, our state law, and the clear separation where our local officials and our city government does not cooperate in the mass deportation efforts that this federal administration is trying to push," Wu said on Monday.
"For months, ICE has refused to provide any information about their activities in Boston and refuses to issue warrants, while we hear reports of ICE agents taking parents as they are dropping their kids off at school. That does not make our community safer. We expect that federal law enforcement will abide by the constitution and laws of this City, Commonwealth, and country, and we are prepared to take legal action at any evidence to the contrary," Wu said in a statement.
Governor Maura Healey said that the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, including ICE raids, is hurting the economy.
"1.2 million people have left the employment roles in the United States. Many people have commented on the direct tie between ICE's activity around the United States and what's happened to the lost employment and thereby lost growth," Healey said.
Last month, there were reports that Boston could be targeted by ICE. On Thursday, the Justice Department sued the City of Boston, Wu and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox over so-called "sanctuary city" policies. The Trump administration said Boston is breaking federal law by refusing to assist with immigration enforcement.
Massachusetts non-profits worried
The reports have worried non-profits across Massachusetts.
"People are terrified, everybody is terrified. I think they are worried they can be picked up for no reason," said Jeff Theilman, the president and CEO of International Institute of New England.
The institute offers a wide range of services such as education, job support and more to immigrants and refugees in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.
"We think it's entirely unfair for those folks, but they're in danger of being picked up by ICE. We are in touch with them and trying to support them, but it's very challenging," he said.
Daniel's Table in Framingham serves food to thousands of families each year. They said they have noticed a downtick in people coming in for food.
"You come here for food and something happens, and you have two young children sitting at home that have no idea where their mother is. Those are the situations we are trying to negotiate, to try to figure out," Blais said.
Blais said that they will soon have to start making special deliveries to people.
"It's painful for us because we know they're out there," he said.