ICE enforcement in Mass. nets 1,400 arrests in September. Less than half had 'significant' criminal background

A concerted ramp-up in immigration enforcement over the month of September resulted in more than 1,400 arrests in Massachusetts, according to federal officials.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Thursday the culmination of Operation Patriot 2.0, ICE's second such effort in Massachusetts since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January with a promise of mass deportations.

More than 600 of those arrested had “significant criminal convictions or pending criminal charges for crimes committed in the United States or were known foreign fugitives,” according to ICE’s press release.

The agency highlighted the criminal backgrounds of 23 of those arrested, with mugshots and brief descriptions of their criminal backgrounds. They include “murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, child sex predators and members of violent transnational criminal gangs,” said David Wesling, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director, in the release.

“All made the mistake of attempting to undermine U.S. immigration law by hiding out in Massachusetts,” he said.

This was the second concentrated enforcement push since May, when the agency announced a similar number of arrests.

Like the first Operation Patriot, this fall’s monthlong sweep involved a host of federal agencies, including Customs and Border Protection; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; and the the U.S. Marshals Service.

ICE characterized the 1,406 arrests as “astounding.” But some analysts, including former ICE officials, say the use of so many federal resources is jeopardizing more serious national security concerns.

In a press call Thursday afternoon about nationwide enforcement, Jason Houser, former chief of staff of ICE under President Biden, said “ the volume of these at-large arrests and the tactics that are being used  provide no real public safety outcome.”

Houser added that more than 16,000 federal officers have been taken off their missions of national security and public safety, and reassigned to immigration enforcement.

“That is making our communities less safe,” he said.

ICE said 277 of the 1,406 people arrested had previously been ordered removed from the country but refused to comply.

Six of those arrested were documented members of transnational criminal gangs, while others were gang associates, ICE said.

The stepped-up enforcement was met with protests in parts of Massachusetts, including in Worcester, where activist Jillian Phillips continues to document ICE activity. The “worst of the worst” cases highlighted by ICE ignore the broader impact of the surge, she said.

“They continue to take children, mothers, fathers, teenagers with developmental needs away from communities they have lived in for 5 to 25 years,” Phillips said. “Many have no criminal records, or charges that have been dismissed and are minor,” including traffic infractions.

Top ICE officials have said that, while people with criminal backgrounds are their priority, anyone in the country illegally is subject to arrest and deportation.

Houser, ICE's former chief of staff, said the agency should be required by law to prioritize immigrants who pose national security and public safety threats. Those priorities were in place under Biden.